Labour's fear of bold ideas
Labour aren't the life raft for this country that they seem to think they are.
Behind The Panels
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Over the weekend, we saw Te Pati Māori candidate Oriini Kaipara win the Tāmaki Makaurau by-election by a significant margin, which seemed to shock both the Labour Party, the coalition government, and the media.
In the days since, we’ve been given a preview of a new tactic the coalition government seems set to use in the lead-up to the election: framing Labour as only able to govern by working with the ‘unpredictable and radical’ Te Pāti Māori (TPM).
Heck, even our media is excited to jump on this narrative.
Now, I could focus on the irony of this current coalition government talking about a chaotic coalition, especially from Chris Luxon, who gave over the reins of leadership to David Seymour and Winston Peters almost instantly.
Instead, let’s focus on Labour and Chris Hipkins.
In response to these questions, Hikins has been quick to say he considers both TPM and the Green Party to be “opposition parties” and won’t commit to who he is or isn’t willing to form a coalition with. It would seem that Hipkins, who lost the last election as leader of Labour, is holding out hope that Labour will win next year’s election in a clean sweep and will be able to govern alone.
But the likelihood of that happening is extremely unlikely; even though some recent polls have had Labour inching ahead of National in popularity, they all paint the same picture: it’s very, very close, and they would need both TPM and the Greens to govern.
I’ve mentioned before, while bemoaning Hipkins’ leadership, that the fact that it’s even this close should be a point of worry, not celebration, for Hipkins and Labour. The fact that they are neck and neck with such an unfavourable Prime Minister and government isn’t good. This should be a slam dunk; instead, they’re fumbling the ball. They are moving through this year as if it’s a guarantee that they’re going to win because the coalition will implode; instead, they should stop being so arrogant and ask themselves why they aren’t surging.
And it’s because they aren’t offering anything exciting, they’re lighting no fires under us, they aren’t taking risks, they aren’t trying to win our affection, they’re just sitting, waiting, and hoping - and that’s bad leadership.
They then act confused as to why so many Māori voters choose TPM and why the Green Party has such gains with the left (especially with former Labour voters). It’s because they quite simply are standing up and offering fresh, bold, and yes, even “radical” ideas for solving the country’s issues.
Look, I don’t agree with all of Te Pati Māori’s stances and policies. Last week, in the lead-up to the by-election, there was a pretty abhorrent and racist post from their MP, Tākuta Ferris. I’ve also posted on Instagram several times about their constant use and defense of AI, and their lack of apology for it. Still, I voted for them last year and could see myself voting for them again because they boldly stand up for Māori, Māori rights, and actually put up a fight when it’s needed (whether it makes people feel comfortable or not).
Both TPM and the Greens have shown throughout this government’s term that they have the backbone to push back, pitch solutions, and fight. That’s also why they face the most scrutiny from the coalition and even the media. I wouldn’t be surprised if both see huge gains in the election and hold major sway when Labour comes knocking, hat in hand.
I’ve said it so many times this year, Labour needs a better leader, and to stop being so centrist. Bold ideas and strong leadership will be what wins the next election, and in all honesty, that could come from either National or Labour deciding to boot their Chris.
Labour isn’t the liferaft it thinks it is for the country; the sooner they come to grips with this, the better.
Danz
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