I don't think David answered Guyon's question on the radio this morning - something like 'people just don't like you do they?'
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I don't think David answered Guyon's question on the radio this morning - something like 'people just don't like you do they?'
That's a real pity slimwin, he is one of the few politicians I dislike (yeah I know, based on media stories :D).
I don't particularly like the way he has run the EQ stuff, but more than that what really upsets me is the way he comes across as a bully when things are not running his way.
A specific incident that got my goat was when he pooh-poohed the councils audit of the rebuild figures, promising an audit of the audit with in 14 days, then nothing. So what happened? Did his audit back the council, or did he decide it wasn't in our best interests to run the audit? Either way he was very verbal about pointing out what was wrong, and less verbal about reporting the results.
Slimwin, do you think that National have done the best they could for Chch? I am not so sure. In 2011 I was pleased with the initial response (and the promises), it was part of the reason National got my party vote that year, but now I am thinking they could have done better, and we should be further along with the rebuild.
I doubt anyone woul have done a great job of running the EQC stuff when you have a mix of insurance companies,councils and Govt. Plus home owners expectations of being first in line.
The bad stories make the news. I work in a very large company and those stories are the minority and some of the guys I know just aren't that realistic. Especially the ones from Brooklands.
It's very easy to look back and say things could be done better. I think national have a pass so far and the council a fail. Labour may also have got a pass but thats not possible to claim as truth.
The Govt put far more cash into Chch than they had to. So while they may not get an A+, it is definately not a fail. Maybe a B with a 'try harder next time' comment.
I don't think it is the amount of money that is the issue, and as slimwin says there are plenty of good stories on the private housing front.
What doesn't feel good to me is the anchor projects. It seems that a vast amount of money is being invested in the big ticket items that we don't need right now like the stadium and the convention centre.
(http://cera.govt.nz/news/2013/crown-...s-27-june-2013)
Would you like to expand on the Brooklands bit or be more specific.
Here's how Colin Craig performs in a journalist 'hot seat':
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=11309001
It's unlikely that Christine Rankin will win in Epsom, but even so, I can see this party having a greater presence this election. And National may well need more than only UF and Act as coalition partners...especially if Act don't perform well in Epsom.
Whew! No posts since yesterday - I was beginning to think that the left had given up and moved to Australia.
They've belatedly realized that Nicky Hager in tow to Kim.com is actually a disaster for the Left, that they would be subject to political blackmail if they got in. Also they are now reading the latest polls before they are published and realizing the major effect of Nicky Hager/Kim dot Com on the polls is to leave relative standings mostly unchanged but make the Conservatives more popular and NZ First a tad more popular.
So the results of the evil Hager/Dot Com campaign is to elect National on its own or in combo with UF, ACT and Conservatives with Maori Party still up the sleeve and NZF as well since he can't stand the Greens and has said he won't be in a government with them.
Unfortunately his silly policies like dropping GST on food and rates won't work, and he burbles about buying back sold shares - nonsense stuff, so it will take a fair few baubles for Winston. The rest of NZ First won't matter. Conservatives might be a better bet if they make it, but only if they come to their senses with policies - and they just might.
I know MVT. I think you are right National will probably return to the Treasury Benches, despite the revelations. However the real political drama for John Key will start after the election.
" and some that smile, have in their hearts, I fear, millions of mischiefs"
William Shakespeare _ Julius Caesar
I, anticipate the next three years will deliver an unparalleled political spectacle.
Another three years of National? I hope not. The press need to keep asking questions.
I think I know some of the 40%, and they haven't thought very hard about it. There are also maybe 20% more who might not even bother to vote, and who should be exercising a leftie vote. These are people who identify with the phrase "Well, we're not National voters".
I heard John Key on a TV sound bite, again he's doing the Crosby-Textor thing, just seeding a little bit of doubt about Labour policy, but not directly coming up with a mistake or an issue with it (there probably isn't one), just seeding doubt. He's going to try and bluff his way through until the election.
Thanks for putting up the cartoon, W69. John Key looks a little precarious standing up there.
There won't be many in the provinces voting Labour, these are true-blue seats. I was travelling through one yesterday. Pale blue signs everywhere, but also some red Labour ones, a few Green ones (which are growing on me).
Massey University shows off some research work it's doing, pointing out that farmers are slowly moving towards cleaner waterways.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farm...g-rivers-clean
The Greens and Labour want this kind of work sped up. Many dairy farmers would say this depends on how much it costs, and that their income is limited by the milk payout. $6 kg this next year, by the sound of it. Higher than a running average.
Many farmers take a dim view of Labour, with its associated union involvement. Unions are set up, amongst other things, to provide support for individuals in the same work area in terms of conditions, pay, support in times of protest. Collectively the workers pay into this structure, knowing that it will be more effective than anything they could do by themselves. Why this is bad thing from the point of view of rural people, I'm not sure.
But I do know that dairy farmers formed their own co-operative, to bargain, support and auction for their collective income here and overseas, and they abide by the price-setting rules, after voting in delegates for a board. It's called Fonterra.