Herald scores ACT

The Herald continues its party ratings:

Performance rating this term: 4/10

If it weren’t for Rodney Hide’s application to the job this year, the score would be lower. But he has refocused on politics after his appearance on Dancing with the Stars marked a transformation in his life.

That is a rating for the whole term. If one was rating the last six months, I think it would be a lot higher.

Assets and liabilities:

Sir Roger Douglas’s return will be a beacon for up to 7 per cent of voters who have cast their party vote for Act in previous years and his appearance for the first time on Act’s list will almost certainly attract greater funding than it had last time. He may be a turn-off for others, however. The list is very light on women, with only two in the top 10, but mother of five Heather Roy – also known as Private Benjamin for her passion for the Territorials – has not put a foot wrong.

I think Heather is great, and would love to see Heather in Cabinet. She will be a very competent Minister I believe.

Policies to watch for:

Act is putting great store by its law and order policy this election and has appointed Sensible Sentencing Trust legal adviser David Garrett at position No 5 on the party list.

It is also heavily promoting the holding of Government expenditure – as opposed to slashing it – to no more than adjustments for inflation and population growth.

And that is a clever policy. People can relate to keeping expenditure constant – in real per capita terms.

What it needs to do in the campaign:

Reduce the fear factor associated with the “slash and burn” politics linked to Sir Roger Douglas when he was Labour’s reforming finance minister. Convince voters that Act’s policies are aimed at increasing the wealth of working New Zealanders, not just big business.

Convince right-leaning voters that Act could have some impact in a National-led government.

All sensible.