Hide impressed by Little

Rodney Hide writes:

The David Cunliffe experiment of tacking left is over. …

Little’s speech was more interesting by far.

He’s new and his speech was an opportunity to learn where he’s directing Labour and, potentially, the country.

And here’s the money quote: “As a union leader I was always conscious that wealth had to be created first before it could be shared. We need to do what’s right for business so we can do what’s right for workers and their families and to keep skills in New Zealand.”

Little recognises the need to create wealth before it can be spent.

And he acknowledges that business creates wealth – and, by implication, not Government. That’s a big statement from a Labour leader.

He told us how as union leader he helped business to help workers and their families.

He’s not a “worker-versus-business” guy. He worked with Fonterra to achieve productivity gains and so boost the pay to workers and farmers.

The bit about farmers is important. He understands the economy is interconnected and farmers are part of his economic equation.

It’s all good news.

Little has outlined his vision and direction. His challenge now is to deliver policy that convinces middle voters he will deliver.

The rhetoric and direction sound promising indeed, as a more moderate rational Labour Party. The test will be whether they devise policy to match, or will be talk without the walk?