Kaine Thompson on Labour
Kaine Thompson is a former Ministerial press secretary and Labour activist. He blogs some thoughts on the challenge for Labour under the title “I want my party back”:
Labour lost the 2008 General Election. No revelation there really is there? We are not in government and on it’s current track, I don’t believe Labour can win the next General Election. In fact, I’m not sure we could work to from a government at this stage even if things got close. It pains me to say that, but I believe this is true and I believe we are ignoring the writing on the wall saying that if we continue to work the way we are working, we won’t have a shot at returning to the Beehive in 2011. I believe we could, but not right now.
If things do get close, then the Maori Party come into play. And having Shane Jones insult people at Ratana is going to be so helpful.
Virtually the entire front bench has an “Hon” in front of their names. So, what does that mean? It means they were a Minister in the last government. Some may argue this is a good thing, it means there are people who know how to hold the reins and there are people who know how to operate.
To some extend with some, it is true. Though, I think, on the other side of that coin, is a chance to say that we could see new people on the front bench. It’s not for me to judge the performance of any Member of this Caucus, but I can say that the principle did not work and will not work going forward. Of course, I say at this point, it would be the best thing in the world to be wrong, but I don’t think I am. In any case, Labour in opposition, is merely Labour out of government.
I think Goff realises he needs a front bench reshuffle to increase his chances of winning. My pick is the second half of this year.
What I am asking for is a clear public message about what we, as Labour, are FOR, not just what we are against. It is a poor assumption to say that if you’re not for it, you’re aginnit, but it seems we are making such assumptions. Maybe I’m not picking up the messages, maybe I should watch the House more, maybe I should read more of the press releases? I don’t know, but my frustration is that I don’t believe I have heard a clear message yet from the party about who we are and what we stand for now.
The party’s brand tends to be the leader’s brand, and I have to say I don’t know what Phil Goff stands for. I knew what Clark did, but Goff voted for a 25% flat tax and voted for increasing the top rate to 39%. What does he truly believe in?