An unpopular idea

Grant Robertson, on his campaign blog (and kudos to him for having one), says he was asked at one meeting what is a view he holds that would not be popular.

Now that’s a great question to ask candidates.  I hate popularists who only say what people want to hear, rather than what they believe.  Anyone on a National Party pre-selection or selection committee should think about asking that as a question.

Speaking personally, I have heaps of unpopular ideas.  Wide scale privatisation.  Abolishing PAYE. Means testing super etc.

Anyway Grant’s “unpopular” idea is having Te Reo Maori compulsory in schools.  While I don’t agree with Grant on having it compulsory (I think the act of compulsion makes it counter productive) I actually agree with him on some of what he says about settling grievances and having greater understanding.  Also nice to see some pragmatism on decolonisation and Treaty workshops (“not that helpful”).

The issue of redistribution is one more politically charged.  I would advocate that once historical grievances are settled, then any redistribution of income should be done regardless of race, but based on need.