Labour’s 90th

All things considered, you’d have to be pretty happy to be a Labour Party activist at the time of their 90th birthday.

A few years ago it was very different. From 1949 to 1999 Labour were in power for only 12 out of 50 years. They had two one term Governments and one two term Government which most of them are now ashamed of. National was regarded as one of the most successful democratic parties in the world in terms of election wins.

Today Labour are in their third term of Government – for the first time since WWII. They have a reasonable, say 40% to 45% chance of winning a fourth term and if they do might get to claim that precious label as the natural party of Government.

Factionalism seems largely dead in their party, or at least until Clark steps down as Leader. Most activists wants the Government to be more leftish, but accept the pragmatic decisions of Clark, even though they don’t always like them.

So yes all in all a pretty good place to be for their 90th.

Tony Milne has a copy of his speech to Canterbury Labour for the 90th celebration. I like the speech as it comes from a background of personal conviction. One interesting thing though is as Tony recounts great Labour moments of the past he can’t really point to any of this Government except being in power and not sending troops to Iraq (overlooking she did send some actually). And this is not Tony’s fault – Clark will leave behind a legacy of capable control of power, but no vision, no major achievements. Cullen if anyone can claim major achievements such as the Superannuation Fund.