Gordon Campbell on scrapping the capital gains tax
With the wisdom of hindsight, the Labour/Greens combo never did have the numbers to get a meaningful capital gains tax (CGT) across the line…
National Party
Gordon Campbell on National’s extremely cosy relationship with China
Very positive messages have come from National Party politicians (past and present) about the desirability of increasing China’s trade and investment relationships with New Zealand
Gordon Campbell on National’s tax handouts
Simon Bridges has unveiled a heavenly vision of a “Not Tax But Still Spend” government.
Gordon Campbell on the Jami-Lee Ross Saga
Secretly taping your political leader and threatening to release the contents in public is not a good way to win clemency, or gain support from your team
Gordon Campbell on the party of no ideas
The striking thing about the issues that have political coverage over the past few months is the almost total lack of policy content to any of them.
Gordon Campbell on counting the cost from the Bridges leak
Surely, the public would not be left in the dark forever about the identity of the person who had tried to make political capital out of this privileged information? Unfortunately, yes.
Gordon Campbell on National’s latest attempts at relevance
National has now moved to Plan B in its pose as the only “responsible” party of government. Having ignored the existence of massive problems in […]
Gordon Campbell on Police pursuits
The willingness of the Police to play Russian roulette with public safety via its current policy on pursuits continues to end in carnage
Gordon Campbell on the departure of Steven Joyce
In the end, the party leadership left the loaded revolver on Steven Joyce’s desk, and he did the decent thing. Amy Adams as Finance spokesperson […]
Gordon Campbell on the poisoned chalice Simon Bridges has won
Voters on the centre-right of politics need to pray that Simon Bridges is not the only winner from the National leadership contest.
Gordon Campbell on National’s leadership contest
Essentially, English ran a great FPP campaign last year, and if the political system hadn’t changed 25 years ago you’d count that performance as a success…
Gordon Campbell on National’s leadership rumbles
There’s a ritual to leadership changes after an election loss, and the National Party is dutifully following the script.
Gordon Campbell on the politics of scaring voters back into line
In 2017, bogeymen of all shapes and sizes seem to have fallen on hard times.
Gordon Campbell on National’s penchant for bashing (a) students and (b) beneficiaries
Occasionally, political parties paint themselves in their true colours, almost by accident.
Devising National’s comeback
How the backroom strategists might be concocting National’s battle plan…
Gordon Campbell on the fear of change
As NZ has woken from its nine-year slumber to confront National’s dire legacy of social and economic neglect, the changes are going to be extensive.
What Other Things Can Steven Joyce See?
PPPs are Steven Joyce’s new imaginary friend…
From the Hood : The Campaign Strategist’s Lament
A National Party Spin Doctor Writes
Ten Reasons For Not Voting National
Three more years of business as usual is the real risk.
Gordon Campbell on the politics of fear and neglect
This week, National leader Bill English is claiming that farmers could face a $50,000 cost increase from Labour’s water tax plans. Another phantom fear.
Gordon Campbell On The Myth Of Conservative Economic Competence
This myth of conservative competence is as widespread as it is unearned
Gordon Campbell on the Greens’ ongoing problems
Hard to treat the Greens’ belated decision to stand a candidate in Ohariu as being anything other than a desperation move
Gordon Campbell on Alfred Ngaro’s standover tactics
When someone like Alfred Ngaro is being paid circa$350,000 a year (in salary and perks) you’d think he wouldn’t have to learn on the job about the basic moral rules of his role.
Public Office, Private Gain?
The saga of Keith Holyoake and Kinloch
Why MMP Is Still The Best Option
MMP has flaws, but the alternatives to the current voting system are much worse