Gordon Campbell on the centre right’s love of the ‘nanny state’ label
Like clockwork, the old ‘nanny state’ criticism has been wheeled out this week by the National Party and lapped up by the media.
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the TPP outcome, and the Hobbit law
TPP countries gathered in Vietnam have announced a deal in broad principle, shunted aside until a later date the stuff on which they don’t agree, and declared victory.
Gordon Campbell on Ardern’s trade battles at APEC
The question is not whether the original TPP will be changed – it will be by how much, depending on what extent of changes the signatories can abide.
Gordon Campbell on the battle over select committees
New Zealand may be a country divided between the centre right and centre left, rural and urban, old and young – but it isn’t the United States.
Gordon Campbell on Ardern’s refugee non-deal
Trump has welshed on the Manus deal to Australia… On the weekend, Turnbull humiliated Jacinda Ardern in turn, by once again rejecting New Zealand’s offer.
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.
Your F**king Guide To Government Formation
Wondering why you don’t have a new government yet? Let me fill you the f**k in.
Gordon Campbell on Peters’ end game in the coalition talks
We’re now entering the Agatha Christie phase of coalition negotiations, given all the main characters have been summoned to the drawing room today by M. Hercule Peters.
Gordon Campbell on the election result, and likely road ahead
A government led by Bill English and Winston Peters would be a more conservative one – particularly on social issues – than any during the Key years.
From the Hood : Election Lists
Bringing Order to the Election Result
From the Hood : The Campaign Strategist’s Lament
A National Party Spin Doctor Writes
Gordon Campbell on National’s Mickey Mouse policies on trade
According to Todd McClay the European Union says it wants to conclude a FTA with NZ by the end of 2019. That timetable sounds unbelievably optimistic.
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 likely path of Hurricane Jacinda
So far, Labour’s tax plans have been treated like an incoming hurricane in the Caribbean – how big will it be, what path it take through the economy, how much damage will it do?
From the Hood : Policy Captcha
Do Politicians Dream of Electric Sheep?
Gordon Campbell On The Myth Of Conservative Economic Competence
This myth of conservative competence is as widespread as it is unearned
Gordon Campbell on National’s fake news onslaught
Can National succeed in lying its way into a fourth term of office? Given its entirely fictitious claims of a $11.7 billion hole in Labour’s alternative budget, it won’t be for lack of trying.
Gordon Campbell on the US public’s attitude to nuclear war
A recent MIT report suggests that the American public is far more tolerant of the mass killing of civilians than the media tend to assume.
Gordon Campbell on scrapping the legal rights of gang members
So, Police Minister Paula Bennett thinks some New Zealanders deserve “fewer human rights than others”
Notes on National’s Election Campaign, in Poem Form
Because English is nothing is not Shakespearean
Gordon Campbell on the funding crisis in the public health system
Much as Health Minister Jonathan Coleman may like to muddy the water, the crisis in our public health system is hardly the fault of the […]
Gordon Campbell on Winston Peters and MSD
Politicisation of state-gathered and state-managed information should be a concern to everyone.
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 DHB deficits and free trade
DHBs are under intense pressure to reduce deficits within a climate of chronic underfunding.
Gordon Campbell on the life and times of Peter Dunne
In the end, Mr Pragmatic calmly read the signs of impending defeat and went out on his own terms.
Gordon Campbell on Labour’s campaign launch
One of the key motifs of Ardern’s speech was her repeated use of the phrase – “ Now, what?”
Social Welfare, Explained
A farewell to welfare faring well.
Gordon Campbell on why Labour isn’t responsible for Barnaby Joyce
Evidently, the National government is similarly desperate for anything that might discredit or derail the Ardern juggernaut, even if that means throwing Peter Dunne under a bus.
Gordon Campbell on North Korea, neo-Nazism, and Milo
With a bit of luck the planet won’t be devastated by nuclear war in the next few days. US President Donald Trump will have begun […]
Gordon Campbell on the nation’s moral tizzy over Metiria Turei
Ever since George Washington confessed to chopping down the cherry tree, his example has been taken to heart by every politician following in his wake.