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NZ Labour Party Conference 2015
Saturday 07 November 2015
MARTYN BRADBURY
One of the challenges facing the Labour Party is the ability to sell a united opposition, this Conference has shown how difficult that approach will be.
Beyond all the nice words in public about the Greens and NZ First there are private mutterings. At this Conference, Labour were going to tell New Zealand who their preferred political partners would be so that there is no confusion about what form of coalition government could be formed post the election, but those plans of transparency were put on hold when the Greens and NZ First refused to agree to that announcement.
Inside NZ First, the Ron Mark faction who are closer to National than Labour don't want to commit and within the Greens, James Shaw doesn't want to lose the strategic edge he's created by working with National.
What this boils down to is that those truly opposed to National can only in good conscience put their vote towards Labour as the only Party that won't do a deal with National post the 2017 election.
The political gaming by Labour's two potential allies is a blessing in disguise as it focuses Labour on opposing National while Greens and NZ First will pull their punches.
Other interesting points worth noting are:
– Suggestions of Andrew Little running in Mt Roskill won't amount to much, as the person who has earned a tilt at the electorate is Michael Wood.
– Expect a surprising new push for Auckland.
– Universal Student Allowances will be considered as will a Universal Basic Income.
– Expect a pledge card that points out exactly what Labour will do rather than the 140 policies they released last election.
– Expect Labour to fight tooth and nail to the TPPA provision that allows overseas interests to buy up assets in NZ.
Labour's 99th Conference looks less like a funeral and more like a Political Party who knows they have nothing left to lose but to fight back. Rumours of Labour's demise have been over stated.
Martyn Bradbury
Editor – TheDailyBlog.co.nz
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