Posts by Sacha
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Not sure it's the Herald who's confused about that.
I am unamused by faux claims of independence, wherever they may spring from. However Boag's quote linking the fortunes of candidate Banks with that of the National party is current, and I doubt she's stopped actively working in the party's interests just because she's not in charge. Just like many of Len Brown's staff and supporters have Labour links and sympathies, as you note.
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And we might expect someone who a week earlier railed in defense of his son with Down syndrome not to conflate bindness with degeneracy. He's a reminder of progress, in many ways.
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Rich, if you need more than Hilary's excellent summary, read that link from my 6.21 post above about tactical voting.
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Oh, so that's why Key's using the word "ethical" about Hide now.
Key's defence of Hide might have looked like a big blunder. But Key was probably left with little choice after Speaker Lockwood Smith delivered a precedent-setting ruling that the Opposition could seek the Prime Minister's opinion of the judgment of a minister on matters beyond his or her portfolio responsibilities because they might be relevant to the Prime Minister's confidence in that minister.
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Consequently on the defence yesterday, Key sought to deflect Goff's questions, which were now deemed allowable, by noting the Cabinet Manual clearly stated that ministers were only accountable to him for their ethical behaviour, not for their judgment.
Suddenly Key was trapped. If he said Hide had not upheld the highest ethical standards, he would have had to sack him as a minister immediately.
The Prime Minister's only option was to declare Hide had complied.
However he has already praised Hide's good judgement, hasn't he - link upthread.
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Same story for proposed public pools in Otahuhu and Avondale - and for beaches in Kohimarama, St Heliers, Point Chev and Herne Bay. Spot a pattern, anyone?
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I hadn't gone near Garth for ages - but was pointed at this cracker by colleagues. Comments are really useful too.
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Smart article about how to vote tactically includes a practical list of what to look for in a candidate:
Issues
* Are they on the side of the good and holy (i.e. do they agree with you on key issues)?
* If they were on a council before, or had some other relevant role, did they find ways to present the issues usefully, and relate them to the decisions being made? Or do they have a very simplistic approach to the issues?
* Did they build support for the issues or polarise people?
* Did they give lip service to the issues but actually support contrary decisions?Hard working
* Will they put the time and effort into the job? Look at whether they are promising to be a full time councillor, or expecting to also run a business or look after a family on their own.
* If they’ve been on the council before, look at their meeting attendance record.
* Did they bother to answer questionnaires and turn up to candidates meeting?Effective
* Have they been a councillor before? Were they considered effective in that role by their peers and informed commentators?
* If they haven’t, do they have a background that means they will be able to analyse papers and express their views clearly and succinctly?
* Are they going to be totally lost in the bureaucratic system, meeting procedures, etc? Can they be tactical and use the system effectively?
* Can they work with other people, or are they really just loner protesters? Protesters should stay on the outside harassing the council rather than joining them.
* If they are a mayoral candidate, can they pull together a disparate council, or will they be divisive?
* If they are a councillor, are they likely to end up chairing a sub-committee?Support
* Councillors don’t have electorate secretaries, research offices or any other support. Does the candidate have some sort of support base (friends and supporters, political party, etc)?
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Oh, Girth, shuddup, please
His Garthness does get a fair spanking in the associated Comments.
Narcissistic twats
Excellent summary
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Full text of Garrett's resignation letter (brief).
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From the recent NZ Herald Auckland mayoral candidate debate, here's their clip about "democracy", 16 minutes. Haven't watched it yet myself but hope it's useful and keen to hear feedback. Can't seem to get the other clips to load at the moment, but there are ones on Transport and Infrastructure and an edited overall Summary.