Posts by Russell Brown
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Just to note: in case anyone was puzzled, I accidentally had the wrong link to the Audioculture page (it went to Sara's own site instead). Fixed now.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Scott A,
Yes. The “Ardern’s not ready yet” line seems to have a strong element of “because she’s a girl” to it.
Certainly not on my part. I think she's immensely capable, and genuine. But she's just turned 33 and has yet to win an electorate seat or be a minister. It would be a shame to blow up a potentially fine political career.
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Anyway!
I'm given to understand that anyone who joins the New Zealand Labour Party by midnight tonight gets to vote in the leadership contest.
Seriously.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Hebe,
I don’t understand the Labour Party: the schism of the working-class hero brigade and the causes wing is so deep and so bloody that no-one is willing to listen: both lots of you start bellowing at the first words from the other side (this thread is unintelligible to non-Labour people).
To be fair, in terms of "Labour people," it's pretty much Tom v Everyone Else, which is not exactly an uncommon situation (although this time there's also Pete George, who tends to get people's dander up in any forum). Stephen's active in the party, as is Keir. They're both contributing thoughtfully.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Keir Leslie,
I mean, I’m not some kind of Jacinda Must Run And Win diehard. But I think it’s pretty problematic to say that an ex-IUSY President, ex Goff/Clark staffer, ex-senior UK Cabinet Office civil servant is inexperienced, compared to say, Little.
Little's no chance. But consider this: Jacinda hasn't won an electorate seat, and can't be sure of doing so next year either. She is liked and respected within Auckland Central, but so it Nikki Kaye.
Not an issue for a Green Party leader, but it would be unprecedented for a Labour leader.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Keir Leslie,
Not saying Ardern’s right, but I’m pretty wary of the “not ready” label being attached here when it doesn’t seeming to be attached to men of similar or less experience.
Fair call. But Robertson's ninth-floor experience will have been a more prodigious insight on the reality of government leadership than, say, Shane Jones would have been able to glean. I'm leaning toward Cunliffe because he's so intelligent, and perhaps personality issues can be worked on.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Lilith __,
I think Labour should take a punt and give Jacinda Ardern the reins.
I know Jacinda and have great respect for her. But I suspect even she wouldn't think it was her time.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Tom Semmens,
Seen an electoral map of New Zealand lately? It looks like a bloc to me – a solidly blue one.
Seen an electoral map of the United States of America? Almost entirely redm except for the parts where lots of people live.
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to Stephen Judd,
… who met his husband at the rugby.
I don’t think GR would have any worries on that front.
Certainly not. If the government was elected on the basis of a sports-themed pub quiz, Labour would hose in :-)
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Hard News: So long, and thanks for all…, in reply to The Ruminator,
Can someone explain the popularity of Ardern? I haven’t really seen her do anything spectacular. I have no doubt of the potential, but has she delivered yet?
Smart, organised, ambitious, articulate, conversant with Labour principles. But yeah, I think she needs to be Minister of something first.
Robertson the same actually.
He spent a lot of time near the seat of power as #2 in Helen Clark's office. He has a very, very strong understanding of government. I'm not sure whether "New Zealanders aren't ready for a gay leader" is actually true, but we may find out.