Posts by martinb

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  • Hard News: Metiria's Problem, in reply to ,

    There was a great quote at the end of that interview which basically said- it's a basically a non-event.

    The tragedy around this is that while a lot of Labour voters obviously got the point (and not all obviously) not all did. There has been a long overdue move away from stigmatising the poor and there needs to be more.

    See the reaction that she dared to be political while on a benefit! A poor person!

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Metiria's Problem, in reply to Matthew Hooton,

    Double Dipton, Oravida, signing a painting for charity...my gosh when did they annoint St. Matthew?

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Interesting Britain!, in reply to Moz,

    Yep- the Greens seem to have done a fantastic job of tactical voting- if Labour voters had done better in key seats it could have been enough.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Interesting Britain!,

    Love it: not being a traditional politician.

    I’d say it is exactly that. He is being a traditional politician. He’s put out a cracking manifesto and held rallies and answered the questions he’s been asked. He’s thrown out lollies to key demographics. He’s built a good organisation and keen followers.

    He is saying something he strongly believes. He’s not putting out mugs complaining about immigration nor tried to be more like the other side because they are in power, but made the case for himself.

    I think the hysteria has worked for him a treat. Everybody had been expecting a craven troll trying to eat the sun because all publications and the BBC were saying that that was what he was, and instead got an old gent earnestly insisting that their kids deserve an education not a debt and that the richest should pay a bit more. Compared to May and the Tories that seemed quite a good idea.

    Oh and the kids are very angry at the leavers taking their future. I think that the referendum will mean the kids will vote early and as often as they can get away with.

    And that said it feels like the Rebel Alliance has failed. Luke got shot down just before releasing the missiles and the death star is almost operational. A tiny bit more co-ordination and tactical voting and you suspect that there could have been jub-jub ewok parties tonight.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Every option has costs, every…, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Oh, this is well known in studies in NZ and the US and elsewhere. And that there is no real downside for a conservative politician to piss all over poor people.

    They both knew what they were saying when they said it. It's how English can say things like that on the one hand and be this great compassionate conservative championing the data approach on the other gets me. Such a free pass.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Every option has costs, every…,

    Mr Sahrawat said the pool of local talent was already low as highly trained New Zealand chefs and other hospitality workers were opting to work overseas.

    Doesn’t this tend to suggest that pre-NCEA schools (of the kind Mr Hooton attended) were rubbish at teaching logic and reasoning?

    Ahh…Steve got in before me. Professional trolls are good ones.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Hard News: Every option has costs, every…,

    Compare and contrast Peter Davis and Matthew Hooton. It's a pity one has so much prominence in our country.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Britain: the crisis isn't…,

    Watching a year old podcast with Armando Iannuci and he basically says he doesn’t know who to vote for. There are 3 Labour parties and 4 Conservative parties, and that the electoral system is broken. The Conservatives can win and have absolute power with 36% of the vote, which means there was 64% against he says. Openly admits voting LibDem in 2010 so that’s not a surprise I guess.

    Which is kind of what I was arguing. The system is unable to respond to the upheavals and differences.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Britain: the crisis isn't…, in reply to 81stcolumn,

    Lol and the Guardian headline and slant:
    Labour donor pledges to stand against Corbyn in general election

    If he doesn't stand down, I'll run against him! Foster says.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

  • Speaker: Britain: the crisis isn't…, in reply to Joe Wylie,

    Yeh, it wasn't the people that infiltrated it was the ideas. And Muldoon did gosh darn broke it. So I've been told. I think that's a red herring, because they won an election and then did the opposite of what they said. That's not the fault of the electoral system!

    But yes ultimately the answer to Muldoon and two elections won by a minority vote was electoral reform and more checks and balances. And I think we've seen that to a degree with the Maori Party and Peter Dunne. The opposite of that is that there are now no or limited backbencher revolts based on what their communities want as most MPs are reliant on the party.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2010 • 206 posts Report Reply

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