Tag Archives: Elections

The real story in the Fairfax polls

There’s an aspect of the political polls that I suspect many people are unaware of. As percentage support for each party is reported, most people probably assume that more people are supporting the parties that show an increase in percent … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Polls | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Christchurch and the election

[As an experiment, I’m testing the use of an ‘abstract’ for my posts. Those who don’t want to grind through the long version but would like to know if it might be worth the grind can have an overview of what … Continue reading

Posted in Earthquakes, Education, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Polls, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Selling rope

There’s an anecdote, probably apocryphal, that in the early 1920s Lenin claimed that capitalism would provide the rope to hang itself. When some wag (reputedly Grigori Zinoviev, a close associate) responded by asking ‘Where will we get the rope?’ – at … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Labour, Maori, Media, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology, Poverty | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wafer-thin socialism in nouvelle cuisine budget

It was obviously a budget for political foodies. As pointed out by Christ Trotter, Liam Dann predicted (or advised Bill English to deliver) a ‘cheese and toast‘ budget – comfort food, Kiwi-style. Gordon Campbell, by contrast, hitched his analysis to a … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Six impossible things before breakfast

“I’m just one hundred and one, five months and a day.” “I can’t believe that!” said Alice. “Can’t you?” the Queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again: draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.” Alice laughed. “There’s no … Continue reading

Posted in Labour, Media, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Foxes, hens, the ‘hard left’ and the myth of the ‘time warp’.

It’s easy to feel a bit giddy – even queasy – after reading and hearing the reaction of politicians and commentators to the appointment of Matt McCarten as David Cunliffe’s Chief of Staff. John Armstrong has invited a picture of … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Labour, New Zealand Politics, Political Polls, Political Psychology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Flagging interest in ‘folly’ of vexillology

John Key seems like an unlikely vexillologist – or should that be vexillographer?. That aside, what was John Key ‘flagging’ when he proposed a referendum on New Zealand’s national flag to coincide with this year’s election – without having already … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, National Identity, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Great minds? Or just something in the Veuve Clicquot?

No sooner than I clicked the ‘publish’ button for the previous post, along comes a strong echo of almost exactly the same refrain. This time, Rodney Hide – after complimenting Len Brown on his stewardship of the Super City – … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Fascism, Freedom, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Democracy under attack – by democracy

Paradoxes are fascinating things. Some are especially so on the day of local body elections. The famous ‘Liar Paradox‘ poses the intriguing claim by a Cretan that ‘All Cretans are always liars’. Of course, if it’s true, it’s false. And, … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, New Zealand Politics, Political Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spotlight on Christchurch – Part II: Election nearing

[Prologue: As mentioned in the previous post, most of that post and this one was written prior to Bob Parker announcing that he would not be contesting the mayoralty in the upcoming local body elections. I’ve indicated where in the … Continue reading

Posted in Democracy, Earthquakes, New Zealand Politics | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments