August 2009 Cabinet Front Bench Blog Poll Results
August 28th, 2009 at 3:38 pm by David FarrarWe received around 600 votes in this third unscientific blog poll on how readers perceive the front bench Ministers to be doing. The results are shown below in two ways.
Net Approval Ratings
This is the sum of those who said Very Good or Good less the sum of those who said Poor or Very Poor. The change from May 2009 ago is shown in brackets
- Judith Collins +51% (+14%)
- Chris Finlayson +47% (-5%)
- John Key +43% (-14%)
- Tony Ryall +43% (-4%)
- Simon Power +31% (-10%)
- Bill English +31% (-13%)
- Gerry Brownlee +12% (+6%)
- Anne Tolley +3% (-10%)
- Nick Smith -15% (-7%)
Collins and Brownlee have had their net approval improve from May. All others have dropped. Remember it is not necessarily the same people voting each time – this is not scientific. Nick’s rating I suspect partly reflects his holding of the climate change portfolio.
Overall six of the nine frontbench Ministers continue to have very strong approval ratings from readers.
Weighted Average
The other measure is a weighted average which takes account of if people said they were very good or just good etc. Basically it assigns a value of 100% for a VG, 75% for a G, 50% for an average, 25% for a P and 0% for a VP. The overall weighted averages are:
- Judith Collins 73% (+7%)
- Chris Finlayson 68% (-3%)
- John Key 68% (-8%)
- Tony Ryall 67% (-3%)
- Simon Power 61% (-5%)
- Bill English 60% (-6%)
- Gerry Brownlee 53% (+3%)
- Anne Tolley 49% (-4%)
- Nick Smith 43% (-1%)
Now again these are not scientific, and only reflect the particular preferences of Kiwiblog readers who participated.
I expect to do the fourth blog poll around November 2009.
Related posts:
- May 2009 Cabinet Front Bench Blog Poll Results
- March 2009 Cabinet Front Bench Blog Poll Results
- Ministerial blog poll results November 2010
- Blog Poll on Cabinet Front Bench
August 28th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
DPF – Interesting that John Key has dropped the most – why not do a repeat in November to test any opinion change in the light of the referendum/Boscowen bill situations?
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Judith Collins for National Party leader. Roll Key now.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Nah, Chris Finlayson’s got to be the one, Madeleine.
Interesting Collins polls so high given her stupidity over shipping container jail cells and crushing cars.
FFS, why crush a car when you can just confiscate it and sell it off to someone else who will drive it responsibly? Shitloads of energy goes into building cars, so we need to keep them on the road as long as practicable to reduce energy demand.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I agree, it is somewhat interesting that John has dropped substantially in this Kiwiblog poll.
I still stand by my thoughts that John Key needs to feel ok that he cannot be all things to all people…..
The whole smack thingy majingy may well cost Key some voters perhaps
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
A gay nat for PM Toad? Hmmmmm… you might have something there.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Yeah, probably will never happen, village idiot, because homophobia is almost as rampant among grassroots Nat supporters as racism is.
Key has managed to put the Brash Orewa speech behind them, but that sentiment will probably resurface if considered poitically expedient. Let’s hope Winston doesn’t crawl out from under his rock, because if he does there will be those in the Nats who will attempt to wrest the racist vote from him.
From what I’ve seen to date, Finlayson is by far the most competent Cabinet Minister. But I suspect you’re right. Because he’s gay, the Nats will never make him Leader. Seems the leopard spots are a hit over in Nattyland though!
Perish the thought – the next Nat Leader if Key stuffs up.
[DPF: Do you have any basis for labelling a million or so people homophobic?]
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Who do you think would be interested in buying boy racer cars Toad?
It was noticeable that Key’s rating dropped throughout the course of the pole, he started off around 50% VG & 25% G, finished at 42% VG & 22% G.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
DPF – Heard you on Larry Williams implying Keys stance on the smacking issue was strong leadership?
You were kidding – right?
[DPF: I said the same as my NBR column - that his stance may damage his rating,s or alternatively it is possible he may get some kudos for sticking to his guns. I have said previously on this blog I think they should have supported the Boscawen Bill]
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Toad if homophobia and racism are rampant among grass root Nats communism and totalitarianism are endemic in all Melons. This statement is probably as weak as the crap you just posted. You and village idiot (brilliant name) love to label anyone that does not share your world view, you do this simply to shut down debate and you high behind your God of political correctness, you can also go and blow it out your arse, it doesn’t phase me mate.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
“FFS, why crush a car when you can just confiscate it and sell it off to someone else who will drive it responsibly? ”
ummm, because the boyracer just goes and buys/steals it back?
(Have you had much real life experience Toad?)
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
That was extremely poor Toad, for a “homophobic” party, I believe National actually had the first lesbian MP in Marilyn Waring. And I believe the first attempt to decriminalise male homosexuality was done by a Mr Venn Young. Of course some of the MP’s (including the lefties) have strong religious beliefs which do cloud their judgement and that is disappointing but you have to tolerate them.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
“This statement is probably as weak as the crap you just posted. You and village idiot (brilliant name) love to label anyone that does not share your world view”
Bearing in mind that if you don’t agree with say redbaiter’s or big bruv’s views, you also get labelled a feminazi gay communist hellbent on world domination.
The fact is intolerance comes from both sides of the political spectrum.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Patrick Starr said: …ummm, because the boyracer just goes and buys/steals it back?
I didn’t realise you were that dumb Patrick. The Court orders that they cannot drive/own a motor vehicle. Why destroy someting that vast amounts of energy have gone into producing when it is perfectly funtional, likely for a number of years.
Deal with the dickheads through the Ciurt system, for sure. But don’t go destroying things that vast amounts of energy and natural resources have gone into producing.
Hey, her’sanidea. maybe the cars cofiscated from boy racers could be put into a ballot for the rural unemployed who have no hope of taking up a job they might find in a nearby town unless they have a car, given that no public transport exists in most rural areas.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
“The Court orders that they cannot drive/own a motor vehicle’
baw haw haw…..yeah right – I didn’t realise you were that naïve, dumb and fucken outa touch Toad,
Like boyracers listen to the court – you obviously did have had a sheltered life
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
@Patrick Starr
Vote:So your point is that we should not sell their cars, because they will either buy them or steal them back. Then it would only follow that if the State is powerless to stop them from doing this, the boy racers would be quite able to simply buy or steal a new car if the crushing idea goes ahead. So it was never an issue of the boy racers being able to reacquire a car, was it?
August 28th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Shit I wish thatpoll was still going that dishonest keyhole would have got a different rating to what I gave him a week ago.
No respect for the public, HELLENSBITCH.
Vote:August 28th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Also why are the comments off in the KEY/SMACKING thread down the page?
What, John rang you and said what?
D- you say strong leadership,what a cheerleader you truly are!!!!!!!!
Vote:The whole parliment should hang its head in shame.
Keyhole my disgust for your contempt of process is deep.
Amazing what can happen in three days.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
DPF – Key might get some kudos from die-hard Nats but as for first time Nat voters like myself or swingers, all the ones I have spoken too are livid. The anger may dissipate given time but personally I will never forget this week and his decisions will certainly affect my choices later on. I hope there is some way he can reverse this or adopt the amendment. I have been highly impressed up until this.
As for the pathetic use of a study into mining in conservation areas as a deflection from the issue, spare me. National might see it as clever, I see it as an insult. It might appear to have worked, we’ll see.
Re the confiscated cars – Mate and were thinking, it would be a good idea if the cops kept the best of them (from a safety and engine performance aspect). Then use them to patrol in areas other than where they were confiscated. The boyracers are likely to think it’s a challenger and try and race the cops. Result, another car off the road, another boyracer looking for wheels.
Vote:Crush the shit out of the rest of em.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Reminder:Toad is a commie nutter so his(/her?) definition of racist and homophobe is “anyone who approves of the free market”
Using that definition, reconsider everyone toad has ever labelled racist or homophobic. It will all make sense.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 1:10 am
One could point out that if the shitty boy-racer cars are hawked off by the police, they could be purchased by a friend of the original owner for cheap then sold back to the original owner. If they have to steal a car, they suffer the additional deterants of the criminal justice system. If they have to buy, they waste a fair bit of time and money first on the car, then putting on their (usually shitty) mods.
Also from a wider point of view the only real interest in an aging budget jap import which has been given a “sports”(defective) muffler, too small tires and a crudely bolted on spoiler is boy racers. No one else wants the POS car, so it inevitably gets given back to the same (irresponsible) sector of society it was taken away from.
But for me the real issue about crushing cars as opposed to selling them is this: as the little bastards see their pride and joy reduced to a half metre cube before their eyes, it might finally sink in properly that wreckless disregard for the safety of others will not be tollerated.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 6:40 am
“..because homophobia is almost as rampant among grassroots Nat supporters as racism is.”
Comments like this show how detached from reality some of the Luddite supporters are.
In my opinion, the biggest disappointment is Key’s performnace as PM.
Only after a few months after taking power, he’s showing the arrogance that characterised Clark’s regime. His dismissal of the referendum results will prove to be a mistake, and may swing a few voters the other way.
Why wouldn’t he reach a compromise on this issue? Once again, Key has been infected with the “I know it all” syndrome.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Yeah, it’s like Key’s gotten third termitis in his third trimester, I’m sure he’ll drop a bundle.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 9:39 am
“…and may swing a few voters the other way.”
Except the only other way to National in this case is…ACT (or maybe UF, but who knows or cares), which is no where near the bother it would be if it meant voters might go left.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 10:09 am
reddeath26, I’m sure you appreciate the difference between an average family car – and these purpose modified -lowered -sewer exhaust pipe bearing boy racer death machines?
To help overcome the problem one of these needs to come out of circulation
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am
It’s difficult to take seriously a poll on Government Ministers – even one acknowledged to be unscientific – when there is no rating of Steven Joyce. He is ranked only #14 in Cabinet, yet his overall influence within this Govenment is greater than many of the others combined.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
village idiot [Aug 28, 6:03 pm],
I think NZ has had more than enough of queer PMs.
Vote:Nine years was nine years too long.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
stephen – “Except the only other way to National in this case is…ACT (or maybe UF, but who knows or cares), which is no where near the bother it would be if it meant voters might go left.”
No offence but I wouldn’t get too complacent. I have heard others say similar, that it will only strengthen the right but I believe there are probably more people who recognise this than you imagine. I certainly do and therefore IF I moved away from National because of this it will be to try and cause change, not maintain or strengthen the current power base. If that meant voting for Winston Peters then I would do it. Here is why:
I am sick of being lied to and ignored by politicians. Years of Clark and Cullen have left me disillusioned about the whole political process. I have no problem when someone has to make a tough call if it makes sense which is why I was disappointed but not angry when the tax cuts where canceled. It was understandable because of the circumstances. However I have yet to hear a valid reason why Key is taking the stance he is over this issue.
What does he have to gain? He certainly has nothing to lose. The “excuses” and “reasons” so far are pathetic and obviously bs. It will not derail parliament. Suggesting that the voters didn’t necessarily vote for a law change based on the wording of the question is disingenuous. The intentions where obvious. Saying the law is working is bollocks, it is making parents criminals, whether they are charged or not is irrelevant.
Is he coming under pressure from some outside influence? UN? IMF? Something is going on. Remember what he said in 2007:
“The Labour Government has shown utter contempt for New Zealanders and the democratic process with its plan to railroad the anti-smacking bill through Parliament, says National Party Leader John Key.’The Labour…-led Government knows the measure is deeply unpopular, so it plans to act against the wishes of the majority of Kiwis and ram the bill through under urgency. This is a deeply cynical abuse of power as Labour tries to clear the decks of this controversial issue. Helen Clark has refused to let her MPs vote the way they really think on this bill. To ram it through under the cover of urgency shows just how out of touch her government has become….”
April 2007: “I simply believe it is bad law for Parliament to pass a piece of legislation outlawing an activity absolutely, and then expect the Police not to prosecute minor breaches.”
Talking about the Borrows amendment:
“the way you send a message is to make the law clear and precise and then to police it strongly and vigilantly. My colleague, Whanganui MP Chester Borrows, has put forward an amendment to Sue Bradford’s Bill that would do this. In my view, this is the correct response, and the one Parliament should adopt.”
That was who I voted for. What happened? I need to know a good reason why he changed otherwise I cannot trust him again.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Yes, a mystery to many. The possible reasons were very well summed up in the Dim-Post’s “Wouldst thou have a serpent sting thee twice?” post. Personally I lean towards ‘Ancient History’ – he said himself that he didn’t want to touch social issues (‘like Labour’) in favour of the economy, so I guess he feels he should stick to that, esp when he’s said that the current law is working.
You’re aware of what Winston got up to in the time preceding the election? Hopefully most people considering this option would realise that could very well put ol’ nanny state Labour back in, just because of smacking. I think it’ll have blown over by 2011, especially if that Nats do a passable job on the economy.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
kaya, apart from voting for winnie, I’m with you 100%. I’m feeling totally betrayed by John Key.
Vote:August 29th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
stephen – you are almost certainly correct about it blowing over by 2011. Most people need to be shafted multiple times before they fight back as was the case with Labour.
Vote:As for my Winston statement, I promise it would hurt me more than anything to do it but if he said he will repeal this law I would vote for him. I would prefer to vote for the Bill and Ben Party and if they make it policy then that will be awesome. The thing is that with this stance Key has shown he is no better than Peters or Bill and Ben. It is irrelevant who you vote for.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:53 am
“Nick’s rating I suspect partly reflects his holding of the climate change portfolio.”
No, I suspect it’s mostly because he is a weasel. A man with a tongue so forked you could hug a tree with it.
It’s all just become more obvious to more people now.
Vote: