United Future
Since: 2007-08-08 10:30:45.829588
Posts: 220
Political commentators are increasingly suggesting we are headed for a four party political system, comprising Labour and National, with the Greens and the Maori Party in supporting roles. Were that to be the case, the consequences are well worth considering further.
... Read the full text of this blog post.
Robin Gunston
Since: 2007-08-15 21:24:50.252
Posts: 14
Peter
You rightly put your finger on two critical areas of choice for the voter- firstly the ignorance of much of the electorate on how MMP works behind the scenes and could work in the scenario you outlined and secondly the seeming desire of much of the print media (and perhaps your friends in TV3) to create a situation of thier own making. With the Electoral Finance Act preventing perhaps much discussion of this type maybe we are doomed down a somewhat Orweillian future ?
Peter Dunne
Since: 2007-08-16 08:44:07.643
Posts: 30
It becomes a vicious circle Robin. You're a small party, so you're not worth reporting. Then because you're not being reported in the media, you're not newsworthy, therefore, you're not worth reporting.
Michael Martin
Since: 2007-10-16 12:42:16.079
Posts: 15
The only suggestion I have is a nationwide version of the kind of campaign Rodney Hide ran in Epsom last time around. Hide literally knocked on every single door in his electorate to ask for their vote. It worked.
This is the sort of old-fashioned electioneering (complete with ward bosses) that the old political "machines" used to run in the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Obviously, that will require lots of people going door-to-door and getting plenty of fresh air and exercise.
To get these "foot soldiers" will, in turn, require a committment (and a co-ordinated plan) to become a major party, and a willingness to do so at the expense of other parties, if need be. That will get noses out of joint in the other big parties, but I don't see how to avoid that.
The question is, can such a "low tech" campaign work as well nationwide as it did in Epsom for Rodney Hide?
Simon Cowell
Since: 2008-02-27 07:35:17.363
Posts: 2
Very true and agree with Robin as to the desire of the press - they seem to decide and influence the public accordingly. This is of concern in New Zealand due to a generally poor quality media (some exceptions) with very little analysis actually done of the policies and substance behind parties for example.
Does this not also however highlight the need to focus on new (web etc) and traditional community based methods to get views across in 2008?
In addition, has clear policy been developed which addresses issues of concern such as housing affordability, infrastructure development and national identity? From this website it appears policy is incomplete or will this be expanded upon later in the year...
Robin Gunston
Since: 2007-08-15 21:24:50.252
Posts: 14
Simon, policy is being worked on in a very comprehensive way much of which will involve public dialogue before it is completed and released. Watch this space !
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