A few interesting tid-bits: my comments follow the cut-and-pasteWho cares? It is well established with all MMP governments that senior politicians can ensure better service for their electorate and more
https://tinyurl.com/yc55u4dt
-----
When Prime Minister Chris Hipkins newly reshuffled Cabinet met on
Wednesday, Robertson was sitting one seat along from where he used to
sit down the table. He could have been sitting one further along up
the table the seat now inhabited by Hipkins. The seat the Prime
Minister sits in.
Robertson had been considered the natural successor to take over from
Ardern, in the event she stood down while Prime Minister.
His decision not to do it was as much of a surprise as Arderns
decision to stand down.
So instead Hipkins stepped up and Robertson stepped down a little
bit, no longer the Deputy PM and opting to run on the list in 2023 and
not in his Wellington Central electorate. It led to speculation he too
was preparing to follow Ardern out the door, at least after the 2023 >election.
Ardern was not the only one the last five years had taken a toll on.
So through the weeks Ardern was tossing up her own future, he also
thought about his own and discovered he was no longer hungry for the
top job.
A bit of bad health for Robertson also contributed to his decision.
Robertson ruptured a disc in his back before the summer break and is >waiting to see if it will repair itself or if he will require surgery.
He also got sick over summer, losing about 7kg as a result. He will
not give details, beyond that it was more than a cold but less than
something like cancer (not Covid-related either) and says the bad
health issues are now under control. Nobodys dying, to quote the
former PM.
That was only a minor factor, but it re-emphasised my decision.
His most beloved portfolio is as Minister of Sports and so he reaches
for a sports metaphor to explain.
Nowadays there are a lot of cricketers who make a decision about not
playing one of the different formats of the game in order to lengthen
their career. One of the things I gave thought to over the summer was
what do I do to make sure I can stick around for a decent period after
the election.
He said part of that was also not standing in his Wellington Central >electorate again. Being able to focus on finance means I can see a
way to being able to stay on a pathway to being here through the next
term. So part of the health thing related to that. Im 51 and I do
want to live a healthier life. I havent been great at that over the
last few years, thats related to the stuff weve had to do.
He laughs when he is asked if he is actually likening himself to Kane >Williamson stepping out as captain to focus on his game more, saying
he had not mentioned anyone by name. Steady the ship. Thats my job.
The more I think about this comparison, the more I like it.
He had once been hungry for the Prime Ministers job - standing for
the Labour leadership role twice before in 2013 and again after the
2014 election, beaten by David Cunliffe and then Andrew Little in the
final tally.
In an apparent bid to try to pre-empt speculation that he could try to
roll Little, he had said after the second failed attempt that he would
not contest the leadership again.
But the reason he did not step in this time was not because of a
stupid old promise nobody would have expected him to keep. Ardern had
told him she was considering stepping down toward the end of last
year.
In 2013, 2014 obviously I did want to be leader. I did have two goes
at it so it was kind of obvious. But the period of time since then in
my political career, I put that away. And over time I became very
comfortable with that decision, particularly in the period I had been >Minister of Finance, supporting Jacinda. So when the prospect kind of
came up again it forced me to say Well, would I want to take this
on? And the truth was I didnt.
Having been approximate to the job of Prime Minister, I know that if
youve got a shred of doubt in your mind about whether you want to do
it, you shouldnt do it. Thats basically what the decision came down
to.
I work very hard, so the commitment bit wasnt what I was concerned
about. It was the desire bit. Because if you dont [have it] youre
not going to perform to the level Id be happy [with], or anybody
else.
He had spoken to Ardern about it as she was making her own decision.
He said those talks were as friends, and mainly centred on what it
would take for her to be able to stay on in the job. They also
discussed whether he would do it. She knew how I felt. She made it
clear she thought I could do the job, but she wasnt trying to force
me. She knew where I was coming from.
The second part of my thought process was why take on a job I dont
have 100 per cent enthusiasm for when there is someone who does have
the desire to do it and will be very good at it. I think both of us
knew Chippy was that person.
If he has an occasional pang of regret about that while Hipkins is
going through his first weeks in the job the swearing-in, the
Waitangi travel he does not show it.
Such has been their personal and political partnership that some also
thought Robertson would leave when Ardern did although that was
always expected to be after an election loss.
He said he and Ardern had a strong political partnership. That phase
has ended and that puts me into a different phase now. But its one
Im comfortable with and that I want to do. But it is different.
I dont feel my job is finished as Finance Minister, particularly
given the period of time New Zealand is in. This is a massively
challenging economic environment and I think my experience is what we
need. Having stability and continuity is a really important element.
Asked if he would still stay on if Labour was in Opposition after the >election, he side-steps: Its not something Im contemplating because
we are going to win.
Hipkins is now his boss which will also take a bit of adjusting to.
He, Ardern and Hipkins were almost the three musketeers of the Labour >Government but Robertson said it was the nature of governing that
they did not always agree on things.
You know Prime Ministers make captains calls regularly. So there
are going to be times with Chippy when that will occur as well, just
as they did with Jacinda. I think the three of us share a common set
of values.
He was consulted about parts of the reshuffle joking his main focus
was on keeping the sport portfolio - but ultimately the decisions
were Chippys.
He did agree with Hipkins assessment that Labour was doing too much
and had to prune its programme, something Ardern had instigated: the
first steps came this week with the axing of the media merger and the >shelving of Robertsons own baby the income insurance scheme.
I think thats the nature of Labour governments generally. You work
to achieve the programme youve got, you want to believe youve got
the capacity to be able to deliver all of it because thats what
youre elected to do. In 2022, Labour realised it was too much.
I think in 2020 and 2021 the entire apparatus of government was
running on adrenaline because it was Covid and we were also trying to
do our programme. It felt a lot of the time as if we were running two >governments at once: managing Covid and trying to do everything else.
When we hit 2022 and Covid began to move to the background, it threw a >greater clarity on the scale and scope of the rest of the programme.
He said that and the economic crisis led to the realisation things had
to change. Im not defensive about it. I think its just the arc of
those three years, being so full on, that by 2022 wed worked out we
needed to start scaling things back.
At each point in the cycle, youve got to do the right thing by the
country and I think thats what were doing now.
Robertsons other unofficial job under Ardern was to be on the attack
in Parliament - while Hipkins is more than capable of doing that job
himself, Robertson has returned looking forward to the election year
and Parliament next week.
The National Party thinks Labour should be tougher on crime. Robertson
thinks Labour should be tougher on the National Party. And hes happy
to step up to do that.
The National Party clearly think they can sleepwalk into winning an >election. They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. One thing I think we can do better this show is show
the contrast between what weve done, what were doing and what
theyre not doing.
Robertson the Kane Williamson of politics might have given up his
chance to be captain, but hes already starting his sledges.
-----
Most of his comments are believable but two things stand out:
1. Going list-only. That clearly positions him to leave politics at
a time of his choosing should Labour loose the 2023 election - a
sensible decision given that he wishes to continue beyond said
election. That is something he can never admit to so he can only
prove this prediction a lie by staying on until the 2026 election (or >longer).
2. His assessment of National. What a feeble load of nonsense. If
this is Labour thinking then National will sleep-walk to an election
victory. Robertson clearly cannot admit that the reason National have
turned the polls around at Labours expense since the last election is
because of the Water reforms legislation (for which they have no
mandate - it was not a pre-2020-election policy) which was rammed
through without enough time to hear the large volume of submissions
that arose from public consultation. National need only coat-tail on
this - Labour have been the authors of their own demise.
National are wise to leave policy releases until nearer the election -
as are the Greens. If they do so any earlier they give Labour longer
to sustain a counter-argument. Labour (as the government) have
already signaled their intent by what they have done - their policy
releases are limited to new ideas, and National can exploit Labours >untrustworthy efforts with Water reforms.
On Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:43:33 +1300, Crash <nogood@dontbother.invalid>
wrote:
A few interesting tid-bits: my comments follow the cut-and-pasteWho cares? It is well established with all MMP governments that senior politicians can ensure better service for their electorate and more
https://tinyurl.com/yc55u4dt
-----
When Prime Minister Chris Hipkins newly reshuffled Cabinet met on >>Wednesday, Robertson was sitting one seat along from where he used to
sit down the table. He could have been sitting one further along up
the table the seat now inhabited by Hipkins. The seat the Prime
Minister sits in.
Robertson had been considered the natural successor to take over from >>Ardern, in the event she stood down while Prime Minister.
His decision not to do it was as much of a surprise as Arderns
decision to stand down.
So instead Hipkins stepped up and Robertson stepped down a little
bit, no longer the Deputy PM and opting to run on the list in 2023 and
not in his Wellington Central electorate. It led to speculation he too
was preparing to follow Ardern out the door, at least after the 2023 >>election.
Ardern was not the only one the last five years had taken a toll on.
So through the weeks Ardern was tossing up her own future, he also
thought about his own and discovered he was no longer hungry for the
top job.
A bit of bad health for Robertson also contributed to his decision. >>Robertson ruptured a disc in his back before the summer break and is >>waiting to see if it will repair itself or if he will require surgery.
He also got sick over summer, losing about 7kg as a result. He will
not give details, beyond that it was more than a cold but less than >>something like cancer (not Covid-related either) and says the bad
health issues are now under control. Nobodys dying, to quote the >>former PM.
That was only a minor factor, but it re-emphasised my decision.
His most beloved portfolio is as Minister of Sports and so he reaches
for a sports metaphor to explain.
Nowadays there are a lot of cricketers who make a decision about not >>playing one of the different formats of the game in order to lengthen
their career. One of the things I gave thought to over the summer was
what do I do to make sure I can stick around for a decent period after
the election.
He said part of that was also not standing in his Wellington Central >>electorate again. Being able to focus on finance means I can see a
way to being able to stay on a pathway to being here through the next
term. So part of the health thing related to that. Im 51 and I do
want to live a healthier life. I havent been great at that over the
last few years, thats related to the stuff weve had to do.
He laughs when he is asked if he is actually likening himself to Kane >>Williamson stepping out as captain to focus on his game more, saying
he had not mentioned anyone by name. Steady the ship. Thats my job.
The more I think about this comparison, the more I like it.
He had once been hungry for the Prime Ministers job - standing for
the Labour leadership role twice before in 2013 and again after the
2014 election, beaten by David Cunliffe and then Andrew Little in the
final tally.
In an apparent bid to try to pre-empt speculation that he could try to
roll Little, he had said after the second failed attempt that he would
not contest the leadership again.
But the reason he did not step in this time was not because of a
stupid old promise nobody would have expected him to keep. Ardern had
told him she was considering stepping down toward the end of last
year.
In 2013, 2014 obviously I did want to be leader. I did have two goes
at it so it was kind of obvious. But the period of time since then in
my political career, I put that away. And over time I became very >>comfortable with that decision, particularly in the period I had been >>Minister of Finance, supporting Jacinda. So when the prospect kind of
came up again it forced me to say Well, would I want to take this
on? And the truth was I didnt.
Having been approximate to the job of Prime Minister, I know that if >>youve got a shred of doubt in your mind about whether you want to do
it, you shouldnt do it. Thats basically what the decision came down
to.
I work very hard, so the commitment bit wasnt what I was concerned >>about. It was the desire bit. Because if you dont [have it] youre
not going to perform to the level Id be happy [with], or anybody
else.
He had spoken to Ardern about it as she was making her own decision.
He said those talks were as friends, and mainly centred on what it
would take for her to be able to stay on in the job. They also
discussed whether he would do it. She knew how I felt. She made it
clear she thought I could do the job, but she wasnt trying to force
me. She knew where I was coming from.
The second part of my thought process was why take on a job I dont
have 100 per cent enthusiasm for when there is someone who does have
the desire to do it and will be very good at it. I think both of us
knew Chippy was that person.
If he has an occasional pang of regret about that while Hipkins is
going through his first weeks in the job the swearing-in, the
Waitangi travel he does not show it.
Such has been their personal and political partnership that some also >>thought Robertson would leave when Ardern did although that was
always expected to be after an election loss.
He said he and Ardern had a strong political partnership. That phase
has ended and that puts me into a different phase now. But its one
Im comfortable with and that I want to do. But it is different.
I dont feel my job is finished as Finance Minister, particularly
given the period of time New Zealand is in. This is a massively
challenging economic environment and I think my experience is what we
need. Having stability and continuity is a really important element.
Asked if he would still stay on if Labour was in Opposition after the >>election, he side-steps: Its not something Im contemplating because >>we are going to win.
Hipkins is now his boss which will also take a bit of adjusting to.
He, Ardern and Hipkins were almost the three musketeers of the Labour >>Government but Robertson said it was the nature of governing that
they did not always agree on things.
You know Prime Ministers make captains calls regularly. So there
are going to be times with Chippy when that will occur as well, just
as they did with Jacinda. I think the three of us share a common set
of values.
He was consulted about parts of the reshuffle joking his main focus
was on keeping the sport portfolio - but ultimately the decisions
were Chippys.
He did agree with Hipkins assessment that Labour was doing too much
and had to prune its programme, something Ardern had instigated: the
first steps came this week with the axing of the media merger and the >>shelving of Robertsons own baby the income insurance scheme.
I think thats the nature of Labour governments generally. You work
to achieve the programme youve got, you want to believe youve got
the capacity to be able to deliver all of it because thats what
youre elected to do. In 2022, Labour realised it was too much.
I think in 2020 and 2021 the entire apparatus of government was
running on adrenaline because it was Covid and we were also trying to
do our programme. It felt a lot of the time as if we were running two >>governments at once: managing Covid and trying to do everything else.
When we hit 2022 and Covid began to move to the background, it threw a >>greater clarity on the scale and scope of the rest of the programme.
He said that and the economic crisis led to the realisation things had
to change. Im not defensive about it. I think its just the arc of >>those three years, being so full on, that by 2022 wed worked out we >>needed to start scaling things back.
At each point in the cycle, youve got to do the right thing by the >>country and I think thats what were doing now.
Robertsons other unofficial job under Ardern was to be on the attack
in Parliament - while Hipkins is more than capable of doing that job >>himself, Robertson has returned looking forward to the election year
and Parliament next week.
The National Party thinks Labour should be tougher on crime. Robertson >>thinks Labour should be tougher on the National Party. And hes happy
to step up to do that.
The National Party clearly think they can sleepwalk into winning an >>election. They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. One thing I think we can do better this show is show
the contrast between what weve done, what were doing and what
theyre not doing.
Robertson the Kane Williamson of politics might have given up his >>chance to be captain, but hes already starting his sledges.
-----
Most of his comments are believable but two things stand out:
1. Going list-only. That clearly positions him to leave politics at
a time of his choosing should Labour loose the 2023 election - a
sensible decision given that he wishes to continue beyond said
election. That is something he can never admit to so he can only
prove this prediction a lie by staying on until the 2026 election (or >>longer).
focus on their ministerial portfolio by going on the list.
Robertson
has arguably had a more difficult time with Finance than most before
him - and has performed very very well - international comparisons
show New Zealand as among the top performers in the world for both
Covid results and Covid recovery. We now know that we elect National
to give money to big business, we vote Labour to bring up low wages
and pay back some of National's debt.
2. His assessment of National. What a feeble load of nonsense. If
this is Labour thinking then National will sleep-walk to an election >>victory. Robertson clearly cannot admit that the reason National have >>turned the polls around at Labours expense since the last election is >>because of the Water reforms legislation (for which they have no
mandate - it was not a pre-2020-election policy) which was rammed
through without enough time to hear the large volume of submissions
that arose from public consultation. National need only coat-tail on
this - Labour have been the authors of their own demise.
What evidence do you have that the following is not totally accurate:
"They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. "
National are wise to leave policy releases until nearer the election -
as are the Greens. If they do so any earlier they give Labour longer
to sustain a counter-argument. Labour (as the government) have
already signaled their intent by what they have done - their policy >>releases are limited to new ideas, and National can exploit Labours >>untrustworthy efforts with Water reforms.
National's history of co-governance arrangements is good for Treaty settlements - but the real co-governance to fear is their
privatisation - where for electricity they donated large amounts of
money to private shareholders, with those in at the start getting an
extra big handout . . . - that industry is "co-governed" in the
interests of the wealthy few . . .
On Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:43:33 +1300, Crash <nogood@dontbother.invalid>
wrote:
A few interesting tid-bits: my comments follow the cut-and-pasteWho cares? It is well established with all MMP governments that senior >politicians can ensure better service for their electorate and more
https://tinyurl.com/yc55u4dt
-----
When Prime Minister Chris Hipkins newly reshuffled Cabinet met on >>Wednesday, Robertson was sitting one seat along from where he used to
sit down the table. He could have been sitting one further along up
the table the seat now inhabited by Hipkins. The seat the Prime
Minister sits in.
Robertson had been considered the natural successor to take over from >>Ardern, in the event she stood down while Prime Minister.
His decision not to do it was as much of a surprise as Arderns
decision to stand down.
So instead Hipkins stepped up and Robertson stepped down a little
bit, no longer the Deputy PM and opting to run on the list in 2023 and
not in his Wellington Central electorate. It led to speculation he too
was preparing to follow Ardern out the door, at least after the 2023 >>election.
Ardern was not the only one the last five years had taken a toll on.
So through the weeks Ardern was tossing up her own future, he also
thought about his own and discovered he was no longer hungry for the
top job.
A bit of bad health for Robertson also contributed to his decision. >>Robertson ruptured a disc in his back before the summer break and is >>waiting to see if it will repair itself or if he will require surgery.
He also got sick over summer, losing about 7kg as a result. He will
not give details, beyond that it was more than a cold but less than >>something like cancer (not Covid-related either) and says the bad
health issues are now under control. Nobodys dying, to quote the
former PM.
That was only a minor factor, but it re-emphasised my decision.
His most beloved portfolio is as Minister of Sports and so he reaches
for a sports metaphor to explain.
Nowadays there are a lot of cricketers who make a decision about not >>playing one of the different formats of the game in order to lengthen
their career. One of the things I gave thought to over the summer was
what do I do to make sure I can stick around for a decent period after
the election.
He said part of that was also not standing in his Wellington Central >>electorate again. Being able to focus on finance means I can see a
way to being able to stay on a pathway to being here through the next
term. So part of the health thing related to that. Im 51 and I do
want to live a healthier life. I havent been great at that over the
last few years, thats related to the stuff weve had to do.
He laughs when he is asked if he is actually likening himself to Kane >>Williamson stepping out as captain to focus on his game more, saying
he had not mentioned anyone by name. Steady the ship. Thats my job.
The more I think about this comparison, the more I like it.
He had once been hungry for the Prime Ministers job - standing for
the Labour leadership role twice before in 2013 and again after the
2014 election, beaten by David Cunliffe and then Andrew Little in the
final tally.
In an apparent bid to try to pre-empt speculation that he could try to
roll Little, he had said after the second failed attempt that he would
not contest the leadership again.
But the reason he did not step in this time was not because of a
stupid old promise nobody would have expected him to keep. Ardern had
told him she was considering stepping down toward the end of last
year.
In 2013, 2014 obviously I did want to be leader. I did have two goes
at it so it was kind of obvious. But the period of time since then in
my political career, I put that away. And over time I became very >>comfortable with that decision, particularly in the period I had been >>Minister of Finance, supporting Jacinda. So when the prospect kind of
came up again it forced me to say Well, would I want to take this
on? And the truth was I didnt.
Having been approximate to the job of Prime Minister, I know that if >>youve got a shred of doubt in your mind about whether you want to do
it, you shouldnt do it. Thats basically what the decision came down
to.
I work very hard, so the commitment bit wasnt what I was concerned
about. It was the desire bit. Because if you dont [have it] youre
not going to perform to the level Id be happy [with], or anybody
else.
He had spoken to Ardern about it as she was making her own decision.
He said those talks were as friends, and mainly centred on what it
would take for her to be able to stay on in the job. They also
discussed whether he would do it. She knew how I felt. She made it
clear she thought I could do the job, but she wasnt trying to force
me. She knew where I was coming from.
The second part of my thought process was why take on a job I dont
have 100 per cent enthusiasm for when there is someone who does have
the desire to do it and will be very good at it. I think both of us
knew Chippy was that person.
If he has an occasional pang of regret about that while Hipkins is
going through his first weeks in the job the swearing-in, the
Waitangi travel he does not show it.
Such has been their personal and political partnership that some also >>thought Robertson would leave when Ardern did although that was
always expected to be after an election loss.
He said he and Ardern had a strong political partnership. That phase
has ended and that puts me into a different phase now. But its one
Im comfortable with and that I want to do. But it is different.
I dont feel my job is finished as Finance Minister, particularly
given the period of time New Zealand is in. This is a massively
challenging economic environment and I think my experience is what we
need. Having stability and continuity is a really important element.
Asked if he would still stay on if Labour was in Opposition after the >>election, he side-steps: Its not something Im contemplating because
we are going to win.
Hipkins is now his boss which will also take a bit of adjusting to.
He, Ardern and Hipkins were almost the three musketeers of the Labour >>Government but Robertson said it was the nature of governing that
they did not always agree on things.
You know Prime Ministers make captains calls regularly. So there
are going to be times with Chippy when that will occur as well, just
as they did with Jacinda. I think the three of us share a common set
of values.
He was consulted about parts of the reshuffle joking his main focus
was on keeping the sport portfolio - but ultimately the decisions
were Chippys.
He did agree with Hipkins assessment that Labour was doing too much
and had to prune its programme, something Ardern had instigated: the
first steps came this week with the axing of the media merger and the >>shelving of Robertsons own baby the income insurance scheme.
I think thats the nature of Labour governments generally. You work
to achieve the programme youve got, you want to believe youve got
the capacity to be able to deliver all of it because thats what
youre elected to do. In 2022, Labour realised it was too much.
I think in 2020 and 2021 the entire apparatus of government was
running on adrenaline because it was Covid and we were also trying to
do our programme. It felt a lot of the time as if we were running two >>governments at once: managing Covid and trying to do everything else.
When we hit 2022 and Covid began to move to the background, it threw a >>greater clarity on the scale and scope of the rest of the programme.
He said that and the economic crisis led to the realisation things had
to change. Im not defensive about it. I think its just the arc of
those three years, being so full on, that by 2022 wed worked out we
needed to start scaling things back.
At each point in the cycle, youve got to do the right thing by the >>country and I think thats what were doing now.
Robertsons other unofficial job under Ardern was to be on the attack
in Parliament - while Hipkins is more than capable of doing that job >>himself, Robertson has returned looking forward to the election year
and Parliament next week.
The National Party thinks Labour should be tougher on crime. Robertson >>thinks Labour should be tougher on the National Party. And hes happy
to step up to do that.
The National Party clearly think they can sleepwalk into winning an >>election. They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. One thing I think we can do better this show is show
the contrast between what weve done, what were doing and what
theyre not doing.
Robertson the Kane Williamson of politics might have given up his >>chance to be captain, but hes already starting his sledges.
-----
Most of his comments are believable but two things stand out:
1. Going list-only. That clearly positions him to leave politics at
a time of his choosing should Labour loose the 2023 election - a
sensible decision given that he wishes to continue beyond said
election. That is something he can never admit to so he can only
prove this prediction a lie by staying on until the 2026 election (or >>longer).
focus on their ministerial portfolio by going on the list. Robertson
has arguably had a more difficult time with Finance than most before
him - and has performed very very well - international comparisons
show New Zealand as among the top performers in the world for both
Covid results and Covid recovery. We now know that we elect National
to give money to big business, we vote Labour to bring up low wages
and pay back some of National's debt.
2. His assessment of National. What a feeble load of nonsense. If
this is Labour thinking then National will sleep-walk to an election >>victory. Robertson clearly cannot admit that the reason National have >>turned the polls around at Labours expense since the last election is >>because of the Water reforms legislation (for which they have no
mandate - it was not a pre-2020-election policy) which was rammed
through without enough time to hear the large volume of submissions
that arose from public consultation. National need only coat-tail on
this - Labour have been the authors of their own demise.
What evidence do you have that the following is not totally accurate:
"They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. "
National are wise to leave policy releases until nearer the election -
as are the Greens. If they do so any earlier they give Labour longer
to sustain a counter-argument. Labour (as the government) have
already signaled their intent by what they have done - their policy >>releases are limited to new ideas, and National can exploit Labours >>untrustworthy efforts with Water reforms.
National's history of co-governance arrangements is good for Treaty >settlements
- but the real co-governance to fear is their
privatisation - where for electricity they donated
large amounts of
money to private shareholders, with those in at the start getting an
extra big handout . . . - that industry is "co-governed" in the
interests of the wealthy few . . .
On 2023-02-10, Rich80105 <Rich...@hotmail.com> wrote:
On Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:43:33 +1300, Crash <nog...@dontbother.invalid> wrote:
Tell me Rich, for a list only MP, which electorate do the have?A few interesting tid-bits: my comments follow the cut-and-pasteWho cares? It is well established with all MMP governments that senior politicians can ensure better service for their electorate and more
https://tinyurl.com/yc55u4dt
-----
When Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ newly reshuffled Cabinet met on >>Wednesday, Robertson was sitting one seat along from where he used to >>sit – down the table. He could have been sitting one further along up >>the table – the seat now inhabited by Hipkins. The seat the Prime >>Minister sits in.
Robertson had been considered the natural successor to take over from >>Ardern, in the event she stood down while Prime Minister.
His decision not to do it was as much of a surprise as Ardern’s >>decision to stand down.
So instead Hipkins stepped up – and Robertson stepped down a little >>bit, no longer the Deputy PM and opting to run on the list in 2023 and >>not in his Wellington Central electorate. It led to speculation he too >>was preparing to follow Ardern out the door, at least after the 2023 >>election.
Ardern was not the only one the last five years had taken a toll on.
So through the weeks Ardern was tossing up her own future, he also >>thought about his own – and discovered he was no longer hungry for the >>top job.
A bit of bad health for Robertson also contributed to his decision. >>Robertson ruptured a disc in his back before the summer break – and is >>waiting to see if it will repair itself or if he will require surgery.
He also got sick over summer, losing about 7kg as a result. He will
not give details, beyond that it was more than a cold but less than >>something like cancer (not Covid-related either) and says the bad
health issues are now “under control”. “Nobody’s dying, to quote the
former PM.
“That was only a minor factor, but it re-emphasised my decision.”
His most beloved portfolio is as Minister of Sports and so he reaches >>for a sports metaphor to explain.
“Nowadays there are a lot of cricketers who make a decision about not >>playing one of the different formats of the game in order to lengthen >>their career. One of the things I gave thought to over the summer was >>what do I do to make sure I can stick around for a decent period after >>the election.”
He said part of that was also not standing in his Wellington Central >>electorate again. “Being able to focus on finance means I can see a >>way to being able to stay on a pathway to being here through the next >>term. So part of the health thing related to that. I’m 51 and I do >>want to live a healthier life. I haven’t been great at that over the >>last few years, that’s related to the stuff we’ve had to do.”
He laughs when he is asked if he is actually likening himself to Kane >>Williamson stepping out as captain to focus on his game more, saying
he had not mentioned anyone by name. “Steady the ship. That’s my job. >>The more I think about this comparison, the more I like it.”
He had once been hungry for the Prime Minister’s job - standing for >>the Labour leadership role twice before in 2013 and again after the
2014 election, beaten by David Cunliffe and then Andrew Little in the >>final tally.
In an apparent bid to try to pre-empt speculation that he could try to >>roll Little, he had said after the second failed attempt that he would >>not contest the leadership again.
But the reason he did not step in this time was not because of a
stupid old promise nobody would have expected him to keep. Ardern had >>told him she was considering stepping down toward the end of last
year.
“In 2013, 2014 obviously I did want to be leader. I did have two goes >>at it so it was kind of obvious. But the period of time since then in
my political career, I put that away. And over time I became very >>comfortable with that decision, particularly in the period I had been >>Minister of Finance, supporting Jacinda. So when the prospect kind of >>came up again it forced me to say ‘Well, would I want to take this >>on?’ And the truth was I didn’t.
“Having been approximate to the job of Prime Minister, I know that if >>you’ve got a shred of doubt in your mind about whether you want to do >>it, you shouldn’t do it. That’s basically what the decision came down >>to.
“I work very hard, so the commitment bit wasn’t what I was concerned >>about. It was the desire bit. Because if you don’t [have it] you’re >>not going to perform to the level I’d be happy [with], or anybody >>else.”
He had spoken to Ardern about it as she was making her own decision.
He said those talks were as friends, and mainly centred on what it
would take for her to be able to stay on in the job. They also
discussed whether he would do it. “She knew how I felt. She made it >>clear she thought I could do the job, but she wasn’t trying to force >>me. She knew where I was coming from.
“The second part of my thought process was why take on a job I don’t >>have 100 per cent enthusiasm for when there is someone who does have
the desire to do it and will be very good at it. I think both of us
knew Chippy was that person.”
If he has an occasional pang of regret about that while Hipkins is
going through his first weeks in the job – the swearing-in, the >>Waitangi travel – he does not show it.
Such has been their personal and political partnership that some also >>thought Robertson would leave when Ardern did – although that was >>always expected to be after an election loss.
He said he and Ardern had a strong political partnership. “That phase >>has ended and that puts me into a different phase now. But it’s one >>I’m comfortable with and that I want to do. But it is different.
“I don’t feel my job is finished as Finance Minister, particularly >>given the period of time New Zealand is in. This is a massively >>challenging economic environment and I think my experience is what we >>need. Having stability and continuity is a really important element.”
Asked if he would still stay on if Labour was in Opposition after the >>election, he side-steps: “It’s not something I’m contemplating because
we are going to win.”
Hipkins is now his boss – which will also take a bit of adjusting to. >>He, Ardern and Hipkins were almost the three musketeers of the Labour >>Government – but Robertson said it was the nature of governing that >>they did not always agree on things.
“You know Prime Ministers make captain’s calls – regularly. So there >>are going to be times with Chippy when that will occur as well, just
as they did with Jacinda. I think the three of us share a common set
of values.”
He was consulted about parts of the reshuffle – joking his main focus >>was on keeping the sport portfolio - “but ultimately the decisions >>were Chippy’s”.
He did agree with Hipkins’ assessment that Labour was doing too much >>and had to prune its programme, something Ardern had instigated: the >>first steps came this week with the axing of the media merger and the >>shelving of Robertson’s own baby – the income insurance scheme.
“I think that’s the nature of Labour governments generally. You work >>to achieve the programme you’ve got, you want to believe you’ve got >>the capacity to be able to deliver all of it because that’s what >>you’re elected to do.” In 2022, Labour realised it was too much.
“I think in 2020 and 2021 the entire apparatus of government was >>running on adrenaline because it was Covid and we were also trying to
do our programme. It felt a lot of the time as if we were running two >>governments at once: managing Covid and trying to do everything else. >>When we hit 2022 and Covid began to move to the background, it threw a >>greater clarity on the scale and scope of the rest of the programme.”
He said that and the economic crisis led to the realisation things had >>to change. “I’m not defensive about it. I think it’s just the arc of >>those three years, being so full on, that by 2022 we’d worked out we >>needed to start scaling things back.”
“At each point in the cycle, you’ve got to do the right thing by the >>country and I think that’s what we’re doing now.”
Robertson’s other unofficial job under Ardern was to be on the attack >>in Parliament - while Hipkins is more than capable of doing that job >>himself, Robertson has returned looking forward to the election year
and Parliament next week.
The National Party thinks Labour should be tougher on crime. Robertson >>thinks Labour should be tougher on the National Party. And he’s happy >>to step up to do that.
“The National Party clearly think they can sleepwalk into winning an >>election. They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and >>vague leadership. One thing I think we can do better this show is show >>the contrast between what we’ve done, what we’re doing and what >>they’re not doing.”
Robertson – the Kane Williamson of politics – might have given up his >>chance to be captain, but he’s already starting his sledges.
-----
Most of his comments are believable but two things stand out:
1. Going list-only. That clearly positions him to leave politics at
a time of his choosing should Labour loose the 2023 election - a >>sensible decision given that he wishes to continue beyond said
election. That is something he can never admit to so he can only
prove this prediction a lie by staying on until the 2026 election (or >>longer).
focus on their ministerial portfolio by going on the list.
How about saying that a list only MP is not responsible to any voters directly, but only resposnsible to the party. This would allow the Minister to focus on their portfolio.
RobertsonBingo! Got it in the last post!
has arguably had a more difficult time with Finance than most before
him - and has performed very very well - international comparisons
show New Zealand as among the top performers in the world for both
Covid results and Covid recovery. We now know that we elect National
to give money to big business, we vote Labour to bring up low wages
and pay back some of National's debt.
2. His assessment of National. What a feeble load of nonsense. If
this is Labour thinking then National will sleep-walk to an election >>victory. Robertson clearly cannot admit that the reason National have >>turned the polls around at Labours expense since the last election is >>because of the Water reforms legislation (for which they have no
mandate - it was not a pre-2020-election policy) which was rammed >>through without enough time to hear the large volume of submissions
that arose from public consultation. National need only coat-tail on >>this - Labour have been the authors of their own demise.
What evidence do you have that the following is not totally accurate: "They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. "
Who/what are you refering to?
National are wise to leave policy releases until nearer the election - >>as are the Greens. If they do so any earlier they give Labour longer
to sustain a counter-argument. Labour (as the government) have
already signaled their intent by what they have done - their policy >>releases are limited to new ideas, and National can exploit Labours >>untrustworthy efforts with Water reforms.
National's history of co-governance arrangements is good for Treaty settlements - but the real co-governance to fear is theirYes, so you have told us before. National Bad, Labour totally good.
privatisation - where for electricity they donated large amounts of
money to private shareholders, with those in at the start getting an
extra big handout . . . - that industry is "co-governed" in the
interests of the wealthy few . . .
On 2023-02-10, Rich80105 <Rich80105@hotmail.com> wrote:
On Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:43:33 +1300, Crash <nogood@dontbother.invalid>
wrote:
A few interesting tid-bits: my comments follow the cut-and-pasteWho cares? It is well established with all MMP governments that senior
https://tinyurl.com/yc55u4dt
-----
When Prime Minister Chris Hipkins? newly reshuffled Cabinet met on >>>Wednesday, Robertson was sitting one seat along from where he used to
sit ? down the table. He could have been sitting one further along up
the table ? the seat now inhabited by Hipkins. The seat the Prime >>>Minister sits in.
Robertson had been considered the natural successor to take over from >>>Ardern, in the event she stood down while Prime Minister.
His decision not to do it was as much of a surprise as Ardern?s
decision to stand down.
So instead Hipkins stepped up ? and Robertson stepped down a little
bit, no longer the Deputy PM and opting to run on the list in 2023 and >>>not in his Wellington Central electorate. It led to speculation he too >>>was preparing to follow Ardern out the door, at least after the 2023 >>>election.
Ardern was not the only one the last five years had taken a toll on.
So through the weeks Ardern was tossing up her own future, he also >>>thought about his own ? and discovered he was no longer hungry for the >>>top job.
A bit of bad health for Robertson also contributed to his decision. >>>Robertson ruptured a disc in his back before the summer break ? and is >>>waiting to see if it will repair itself or if he will require surgery.
He also got sick over summer, losing about 7kg as a result. He will
not give details, beyond that it was more than a cold but less than >>>something like cancer (not Covid-related either) and says the bad
health issues are now ?under control?. ?Nobody?s dying, to quote the >>>former PM.
?That was only a minor factor, but it re-emphasised my decision.?
His most beloved portfolio is as Minister of Sports and so he reaches
for a sports metaphor to explain.
?Nowadays there are a lot of cricketers who make a decision about not >>>playing one of the different formats of the game in order to lengthen >>>their career. One of the things I gave thought to over the summer was >>>what do I do to make sure I can stick around for a decent period after >>>the election.?
He said part of that was also not standing in his Wellington Central >>>electorate again. ?Being able to focus on finance means I can see a
way to being able to stay on a pathway to being here through the next >>>term. So part of the health thing related to that. I?m 51 and I do
want to live a healthier life. I haven?t been great at that over the
last few years, that?s related to the stuff we?ve had to do.?
He laughs when he is asked if he is actually likening himself to Kane >>>Williamson stepping out as captain to focus on his game more, saying
he had not mentioned anyone by name. ?Steady the ship. That?s my job.
The more I think about this comparison, the more I like it.?
He had once been hungry for the Prime Minister?s job - standing for
the Labour leadership role twice before in 2013 and again after the
2014 election, beaten by David Cunliffe and then Andrew Little in the >>>final tally.
In an apparent bid to try to pre-empt speculation that he could try to >>>roll Little, he had said after the second failed attempt that he would >>>not contest the leadership again.
But the reason he did not step in this time was not because of a
stupid old promise nobody would have expected him to keep. Ardern had >>>told him she was considering stepping down toward the end of last
year.
?In 2013, 2014 obviously I did want to be leader. I did have two goes
at it so it was kind of obvious. But the period of time since then in
my political career, I put that away. And over time I became very >>>comfortable with that decision, particularly in the period I had been >>>Minister of Finance, supporting Jacinda. So when the prospect kind of >>>came up again it forced me to say ?Well, would I want to take this
on?? And the truth was I didn?t.
?Having been approximate to the job of Prime Minister, I know that if >>>you?ve got a shred of doubt in your mind about whether you want to do
it, you shouldn?t do it. That?s basically what the decision came down
to.
?I work very hard, so the commitment bit wasn?t what I was concerned >>>about. It was the desire bit. Because if you don?t [have it] you?re
not going to perform to the level I?d be happy [with], or anybody
else.?
He had spoken to Ardern about it as she was making her own decision.
He said those talks were as friends, and mainly centred on what it
would take for her to be able to stay on in the job. They also
discussed whether he would do it. ?She knew how I felt. She made it
clear she thought I could do the job, but she wasn?t trying to force
me. She knew where I was coming from.
?The second part of my thought process was why take on a job I don?t
have 100 per cent enthusiasm for when there is someone who does have
the desire to do it and will be very good at it. I think both of us
knew Chippy was that person.?
If he has an occasional pang of regret about that while Hipkins is
going through his first weeks in the job ? the swearing-in, the
Waitangi travel ? he does not show it.
Such has been their personal and political partnership that some also >>>thought Robertson would leave when Ardern did ? although that was
always expected to be after an election loss.
He said he and Ardern had a strong political partnership. ?That phase
has ended and that puts me into a different phase now. But it?s one
I?m comfortable with and that I want to do. But it is different.
?I don?t feel my job is finished as Finance Minister, particularly
given the period of time New Zealand is in. This is a massively >>>challenging economic environment and I think my experience is what we >>>need. Having stability and continuity is a really important element.?
Asked if he would still stay on if Labour was in Opposition after the >>>election, he side-steps: ?It?s not something I?m contemplating because
we are going to win.?
Hipkins is now his boss ? which will also take a bit of adjusting to.
He, Ardern and Hipkins were almost the three musketeers of the Labour >>>Government ? but Robertson said it was the nature of governing that
they did not always agree on things.
?You know Prime Ministers make captain?s calls ? regularly. So there
are going to be times with Chippy when that will occur as well, just
as they did with Jacinda. I think the three of us share a common set
of values.?
He was consulted about parts of the reshuffle ? joking his main focus
was on keeping the sport portfolio - ?but ultimately the decisions
were Chippy?s?.
He did agree with Hipkins? assessment that Labour was doing too much
and had to prune its programme, something Ardern had instigated: the >>>first steps came this week with the axing of the media merger and the >>>shelving of Robertson?s own baby ? the income insurance scheme.
?I think that?s the nature of Labour governments generally. You work
to achieve the programme you?ve got, you want to believe you?ve got
the capacity to be able to deliver all of it because that?s what
you?re elected to do.? In 2022, Labour realised it was too much.
?I think in 2020 and 2021 the entire apparatus of government was
running on adrenaline because it was Covid and we were also trying to
do our programme. It felt a lot of the time as if we were running two >>>governments at once: managing Covid and trying to do everything else. >>>When we hit 2022 and Covid began to move to the background, it threw a >>>greater clarity on the scale and scope of the rest of the programme.?
He said that and the economic crisis led to the realisation things had
to change. ?I?m not defensive about it. I think it?s just the arc of >>>those three years, being so full on, that by 2022 we?d worked out we >>>needed to start scaling things back.?
?At each point in the cycle, you?ve got to do the right thing by the >>>country and I think that?s what we?re doing now.?
Robertson?s other unofficial job under Ardern was to be on the attack
in Parliament - while Hipkins is more than capable of doing that job >>>himself, Robertson has returned looking forward to the election year
and Parliament next week.
The National Party thinks Labour should be tougher on crime. Robertson >>>thinks Labour should be tougher on the National Party. And he?s happy
to step up to do that.
?The National Party clearly think they can sleepwalk into winning an >>>election. They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and >>>vague leadership. One thing I think we can do better this show is show >>>the contrast between what we?ve done, what we?re doing and what
they?re not doing.?
Robertson ? the Kane Williamson of politics ? might have given up his >>>chance to be captain, but he?s already starting his sledges.
-----
Most of his comments are believable but two things stand out:
1. Going list-only. That clearly positions him to leave politics at
a time of his choosing should Labour loose the 2023 election - a
sensible decision given that he wishes to continue beyond said
election. That is something he can never admit to so he can only
prove this prediction a lie by staying on until the 2026 election (or >>>longer).
politicians can ensure better service for their electorate and more
focus on their ministerial portfolio by going on the list.
Tell me Rich, for a list only MP, which electorate do the have?
How about saying that a list only MP is not responsible to any voters >directly, but only resposnsible to the party. This would allow the Minister >to focus on their portfolio.All MPs are responsible to the electorate as a whole - but feel free
Robertson
has arguably had a more difficult time with Finance than most before
him - and has performed very very well - international comparisons
show New Zealand as among the top performers in the world for both
Covid results and Covid recovery. We now know that we elect National
to give money to big business, we vote Labour to bring up low wages
and pay back some of National's debt.
Bingo! Got it in the last post!
National.
2. His assessment of National. What a feeble load of nonsense. If
this is Labour thinking then National will sleep-walk to an election >>>victory. Robertson clearly cannot admit that the reason National have >>>turned the polls around at Labours expense since the last election is >>>because of the Water reforms legislation (for which they have no
mandate - it was not a pre-2020-election policy) which was rammed
through without enough time to hear the large volume of submissions
that arose from public consultation. National need only coat-tail on >>>this - Labour have been the authors of their own demise.
What evidence do you have that the following is not totally accurate:
"They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. "
Who/what are you refering to?
No, as I have said a number of times, National and Labour agree onNational are wise to leave policy releases until nearer the election -
as are the Greens. If they do so any earlier they give Labour longer
to sustain a counter-argument. Labour (as the government) have
already signaled their intent by what they have done - their policy >>>releases are limited to new ideas, and National can exploit Labours >>>untrustworthy efforts with Water reforms.
National's history of co-governance arrangements is good for Treaty
settlements - but the real co-governance to fear is their
privatisation - where for electricity they donated large amounts of
money to private shareholders, with those in at the start getting an
extra big handout . . . - that industry is "co-governed" in the
interests of the wealthy few . . .
Yes, so you have told us before. National Bad, Labour totally good.
On 10 Feb 2023 22:11:08 GMT, Gordon <Gor...@leaf.net.nz> wrote:
On 2023-02-10, Rich80105 <Rich...@hotmail.com> wrote:
On Sat, 11 Feb 2023 09:43:33 +1300, Crash <nog...@dontbother.invalid>
wrote:
A few interesting tid-bits: my comments follow the cut-and-pasteWho cares? It is well established with all MMP governments that senior
https://tinyurl.com/yc55u4dt
-----
When Prime Minister Chris Hipkins? newly reshuffled Cabinet met on >>>Wednesday, Robertson was sitting one seat along from where he used to >>>sit ? down the table. He could have been sitting one further along up >>>the table ? the seat now inhabited by Hipkins. The seat the Prime >>>Minister sits in.
Robertson had been considered the natural successor to take over from >>>Ardern, in the event she stood down while Prime Minister.
His decision not to do it was as much of a surprise as Ardern?s >>>decision to stand down.
So instead Hipkins stepped up ? and Robertson stepped down a little >>>bit, no longer the Deputy PM and opting to run on the list in 2023 and >>>not in his Wellington Central electorate. It led to speculation he too >>>was preparing to follow Ardern out the door, at least after the 2023 >>>election.
Ardern was not the only one the last five years had taken a toll on. >>>So through the weeks Ardern was tossing up her own future, he also >>>thought about his own ? and discovered he was no longer hungry for the >>>top job.
A bit of bad health for Robertson also contributed to his decision. >>>Robertson ruptured a disc in his back before the summer break ? and is >>>waiting to see if it will repair itself or if he will require surgery. >>>
He also got sick over summer, losing about 7kg as a result. He will >>>not give details, beyond that it was more than a cold but less than >>>something like cancer (not Covid-related either) and says the bad >>>health issues are now ?under control?. ?Nobody?s dying, to quote the >>>former PM.
?That was only a minor factor, but it re-emphasised my decision.?
His most beloved portfolio is as Minister of Sports and so he reaches >>>for a sports metaphor to explain.
?Nowadays there are a lot of cricketers who make a decision about not >>>playing one of the different formats of the game in order to lengthen >>>their career. One of the things I gave thought to over the summer was >>>what do I do to make sure I can stick around for a decent period after >>>the election.?
He said part of that was also not standing in his Wellington Central >>>electorate again. ?Being able to focus on finance means I can see a
way to being able to stay on a pathway to being here through the next >>>term. So part of the health thing related to that. I?m 51 and I do >>>want to live a healthier life. I haven?t been great at that over the >>>last few years, that?s related to the stuff we?ve had to do.?
He laughs when he is asked if he is actually likening himself to Kane >>>Williamson stepping out as captain to focus on his game more, saying
he had not mentioned anyone by name. ?Steady the ship. That?s my job. >>>The more I think about this comparison, the more I like it.?
He had once been hungry for the Prime Minister?s job - standing for
the Labour leadership role twice before in 2013 and again after the >>>2014 election, beaten by David Cunliffe and then Andrew Little in the >>>final tally.
In an apparent bid to try to pre-empt speculation that he could try to >>>roll Little, he had said after the second failed attempt that he would >>>not contest the leadership again.
But the reason he did not step in this time was not because of a >>>stupid old promise nobody would have expected him to keep. Ardern had >>>told him she was considering stepping down toward the end of last >>>year.
?In 2013, 2014 obviously I did want to be leader. I did have two goes >>>at it so it was kind of obvious. But the period of time since then in >>>my political career, I put that away. And over time I became very >>>comfortable with that decision, particularly in the period I had been >>>Minister of Finance, supporting Jacinda. So when the prospect kind of >>>came up again it forced me to say ?Well, would I want to take this >>>on?? And the truth was I didn?t.
?Having been approximate to the job of Prime Minister, I know that if >>>you?ve got a shred of doubt in your mind about whether you want to do >>>it, you shouldn?t do it. That?s basically what the decision came down >>>to.
?I work very hard, so the commitment bit wasn?t what I was concerned >>>about. It was the desire bit. Because if you don?t [have it] you?re >>>not going to perform to the level I?d be happy [with], or anybody >>>else.?
He had spoken to Ardern about it as she was making her own decision. >>>He said those talks were as friends, and mainly centred on what it >>>would take for her to be able to stay on in the job. They also >>>discussed whether he would do it. ?She knew how I felt. She made it >>>clear she thought I could do the job, but she wasn?t trying to force >>>me. She knew where I was coming from.
?The second part of my thought process was why take on a job I don?t >>>have 100 per cent enthusiasm for when there is someone who does have >>>the desire to do it and will be very good at it. I think both of us >>>knew Chippy was that person.?
If he has an occasional pang of regret about that while Hipkins is >>>going through his first weeks in the job ? the swearing-in, the >>>Waitangi travel ? he does not show it.
Such has been their personal and political partnership that some also >>>thought Robertson would leave when Ardern did ? although that was >>>always expected to be after an election loss.
He said he and Ardern had a strong political partnership. ?That phase >>>has ended and that puts me into a different phase now. But it?s one >>>I?m comfortable with and that I want to do. But it is different.
?I don?t feel my job is finished as Finance Minister, particularly >>>given the period of time New Zealand is in. This is a massively >>>challenging economic environment and I think my experience is what we >>>need. Having stability and continuity is a really important element.?
Asked if he would still stay on if Labour was in Opposition after the >>>election, he side-steps: ?It?s not something I?m contemplating because >>>we are going to win.?
Hipkins is now his boss ? which will also take a bit of adjusting to. >>>He, Ardern and Hipkins were almost the three musketeers of the Labour >>>Government ? but Robertson said it was the nature of governing that >>>they did not always agree on things.
?You know Prime Ministers make captain?s calls ? regularly. So there >>>are going to be times with Chippy when that will occur as well, just >>>as they did with Jacinda. I think the three of us share a common set
of values.?
He was consulted about parts of the reshuffle ? joking his main focus >>>was on keeping the sport portfolio - ?but ultimately the decisions >>>were Chippy?s?.
He did agree with Hipkins? assessment that Labour was doing too much >>>and had to prune its programme, something Ardern had instigated: the >>>first steps came this week with the axing of the media merger and the >>>shelving of Robertson?s own baby ? the income insurance scheme.
?I think that?s the nature of Labour governments generally. You work >>>to achieve the programme you?ve got, you want to believe you?ve got >>>the capacity to be able to deliver all of it because that?s what >>>you?re elected to do.? In 2022, Labour realised it was too much.
?I think in 2020 and 2021 the entire apparatus of government was >>>running on adrenaline because it was Covid and we were also trying to >>>do our programme. It felt a lot of the time as if we were running two >>>governments at once: managing Covid and trying to do everything else. >>>When we hit 2022 and Covid began to move to the background, it threw a >>>greater clarity on the scale and scope of the rest of the programme.?
He said that and the economic crisis led to the realisation things had >>>to change. ?I?m not defensive about it. I think it?s just the arc of >>>those three years, being so full on, that by 2022 we?d worked out we >>>needed to start scaling things back.?
?At each point in the cycle, you?ve got to do the right thing by the >>>country and I think that?s what we?re doing now.?
Robertson?s other unofficial job under Ardern was to be on the attack >>>in Parliament - while Hipkins is more than capable of doing that job >>>himself, Robertson has returned looking forward to the election year >>>and Parliament next week.
The National Party thinks Labour should be tougher on crime. Robertson >>>thinks Labour should be tougher on the National Party. And he?s happy >>>to step up to do that.
?The National Party clearly think they can sleepwalk into winning an >>>election. They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and >>>vague leadership. One thing I think we can do better this show is show >>>the contrast between what we?ve done, what we?re doing and what >>>they?re not doing.?
Robertson ? the Kane Williamson of politics ? might have given up his >>>chance to be captain, but he?s already starting his sledges.
-----
Most of his comments are believable but two things stand out:
1. Going list-only. That clearly positions him to leave politics at
a time of his choosing should Labour loose the 2023 election - a >>>sensible decision given that he wishes to continue beyond said >>>election. That is something he can never admit to so he can only
prove this prediction a lie by staying on until the 2026 election (or >>>longer).
politicians can ensure better service for their electorate and more
focus on their ministerial portfolio by going on the list.
Tell me Rich, for a list only MP, which electorate do the have?That would be "did they have" - Bill English was MP for Clutha
Southland before he went on the List from 2014 to 2018. Robertson is currently MP for Wellington Central - the Labour MP elected for the
next term will have more time to deal with consituancy issues.
How about saying that a list only MP is not responsible to any voters >directly, but only resposnsible to the party. This would allow the Minister >to focus on their portfolio.All MPs are responsible to the electorate as a whole - but feel free
to only vote for the electorate if you wish . . . List MPs have just
as much a desire to perform well to ensure that their party does as
well as possible at the next election as do Electorate MPs.
Robertson
has arguably had a more difficult time with Finance than most before
him - and has performed very very well - international comparisons
show New Zealand as among the top performers in the world for both
Covid results and Covid recovery. We now know that we elect National
to give money to big business, we vote Labour to bring up low wages
and pay back some of National's debt.
Bingo! Got it in the last post!
2. His assessment of National. What a feeble load of nonsense. If
this is Labour thinking then National will sleep-walk to an election >>>victory. Robertson clearly cannot admit that the reason National have >>>turned the polls around at Labours expense since the last election is >>>because of the Water reforms legislation (for which they have no >>>mandate - it was not a pre-2020-election policy) which was rammed >>>through without enough time to hear the large volume of submissions >>>that arose from public consultation. National need only coat-tail on >>>this - Labour have been the authors of their own demise.
What evidence do you have that the following is not totally accurate:
"They have no plan, limited new policies and indecisive and
vague leadership. "
Who/what are you refering to?National.
Wrong! All because of this governments greed! The majority of the electricity providers are soe's and the government is quite capable of telling them to cut the obscene rises in energy pricing we're currently getting! After all the government has aNational are wise to leave policy releases until nearer the election - >>>as are the Greens. If they do so any earlier they give Labour longer >>>to sustain a counter-argument. Labour (as the government) have
already signaled their intent by what they have done - their policy >>>releases are limited to new ideas, and National can exploit Labours >>>untrustworthy efforts with Water reforms.
National's history of co-governance arrangements is good for Treaty
settlements - but the real co-governance to fear is their
privatisation - where for electricity they donated large amounts of
money to private shareholders, with those in at the start getting an
extra big handout . . . - that industry is "co-governed" in the
interests of the wealthy few . . .
Yes, so you have told us before. National Bad, Labour totally good.No, as I have said a number of times, National and Labour agree on
over 50% of legislation - possibly as much as 70%, regardless of which
party is in opposition. Sometimes with hindsight we can see that they
were both wrong, or both correct - but there is no doubt that we are
paying more than we need for our elecctricity at present - all because
of the Bradford "reforms."
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