Has Calvert switched?
April 28th, 2011 at 9:05 am by David FarrarStuff reports:
Don Brash believes he has the numbers to roll Rodney Hide and become the new ACT leader as soon as today after furiously lobbying MPs.
The fates of Brash and Hide rest with the party’s newest MP, Hilary Calvert, who pledged her support for Hide at the weekend – but spent yesterday afternoon in a meeting at Brash’s Auckland apartment with Hide opponent Sir Roger Douglas.
Calvert did not return calls and refused to comment as she left. But after the meeting, Brash said he was “cautiously optimistic” of securing the ACT leadership, suggesting he believes he has her support.
He told National Radio that if she switched votes it would be “logical” for Hide to resign as early as today.
Brash also made it clear he saw no place for Hide in any party he led, suggesting it would be his advice to Hide “to go, quite frankly”
Most of the speculation has been on whether Boscawen would back Brash, not Calvert.The Herald reports:
On Sunday, she said that she backed Mr Hide and would vote for him over Dr Brash, and on Tuesday she repeated that position.
But yesterday, when the Herald asked if her position was still the same after her meeting with Dr Brash, she said: “I’m not prepared to make any comment.”
There’s been a fair amount of disinformation flying around, so we’ll see how things play out today.
However if the media are correct, then Don has won and will become Leader. I still stand by my comments about the nature of the coup. It is about winning the war, not the battle. And my concern is that Don has damaged his brand which was almost being above politics.
If Don does become leader, all eyes will be on teh next set of public polls. I have no doubt ACT will go up in the polls. The two key questions are how much, and from whom will they pull their extra support. I’d also caution not to take the first set of polls as gospel – there is a honeymoon effect. The second set of polls are likely to be more indicative.
Anyway let’s wait to see if the media have it right, and if Don has won. If he has, I’ll blog some ideas for key policies he can campaign on – apart from closing the gap with Australia.
Related posts:
- ACT Civil War continues
- Boscawen to be ACT’s parliamentary leader
- Boscawen to replace Roy
- I like her sense of humour
April 28th, 2011 at 9:08 am
I doubt Don has done anything but enhance his brand.
He used to come over as being a bit ineffectual. He now looks like he’s got a bit of mongrel fight.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:13 am
I found a theme song for Farrar and his posts on Brash’s coup….
Vote:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:16 am
So Don has just “Bill Englished” Rodney.
That’s two for Don and Don for two.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:17 am
They will progressively give us an idea, but the November poll will be what’s demonstrative – the party vote, the Epsom vote, and the vote in any other electorates that Brash Act stand in.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:20 am
Agree with Peter.
I believe Brash will lead ACT above and beyond the 5% threshold this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 10% +
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:24 am
In the run up to the election I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Labour voters switch to National to let National govern alone to minimize the Brash influence.
I also reckon Act will obviously go up in the polls until Brash starts stuffing it up as he’s bound to. He always appeared so influenced by the last person he spoke to…
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:25 am
So will Rodney resign as an MP and give us a by election in Epsom? That would be interesting. Either brash or some other Act hold the seat, which gives as indication that they’ll keep it in November and give potential voters the confidence to stick with Act. Or National take it and this means the essential demise of the party.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:26 am
cabbage @ 9.0am
Wait for the idiot Banks to open his mouth & let the Norwester blow his tongue around. That will settle the polls back to Hide’s level.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:30 am
I have historically split my vote between ACT and National, and was prepared to give two ticks to National this year. Brash, if he is successful in his leadership bid, may give me reason to re-evaluate that position. I will watch developments closely.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:30 am
So essentially a party led by a Nat, with Judas Roy running numbers, Sir Roger who’s retiring and Hilary who has switched sides already after one conversation? Yeah a powerhouse. The people of Epsom might think that John Keys faction of the Nats are slightly better than the Brash side of the National Party. Might be time for me to finally give this game up.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:35 am
10% for ACT! That would be GLORIOUS!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:36 am
Who voted Don Brash in? Rodney Hide, no matter what anyone thinks of him is still an elected member of Parliament.
If this gets pulled off, it would have to be the most anti-democratic coup, aided and abetted by the media that I have ever seen in NZ!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:37 am
The Don has grown a pair.
This is great news for NZ. NZ need ACT more than they need The Greens.
Watch Labour start to focus getting dirt on The Don instead of JK. A rejuvenated ACT is a possible left buster if they can get NZ spending under control and keep growth happening which is achievable in the next few years (Chch EQ rebuild).
Brash will also keep letting the electorate reminded of the Great Brown Anchor also keeping NZ back.
Hone First = bludgers
Vote:The Don = stuff the bludgers
April 28th, 2011 at 9:40 am
exactly Lucia! As I was saying yesterday here.
Because it’s Don Brash. Haven’t you figured that out? The Act Party rules don’t matter for him, and by-elections won’t either.
Whatever Don wants, Don gets.
It’s Don Brash FFS!!!!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Radman,
Don Brash should take over the Maori Party, if that’s what’s going on.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:47 am
In the run up to the election I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Labour voters switch to National to let National govern alone to minimize the Brash influence.
I doubt it will be Labour voters who switch, but it could firm up National support from the floating voters who want to ensure Act don’t get too big a slice of the vote. I think those sorts of patterns will only become clear close to the election. Polls will make a difference to the actual vote. I’d maybe support Act getting 5% but I wouldn’t want to see them getting 10%.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:51 am
So Pete George, you voted ACT last time did you? But maybe not this time if it means they might get 10% of the vote? Thought not.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:52 am
DPF is right to be cautious here. The media have a bad habit of exagerating what they hear in order to produce the most exciting bulletin/headline. I listened to Brash on National Radio this morning and several times he pointed out that the media were misreporting him. Hilary Calvert’s “no comment” is not exactly a promise to vote for Brash, although this may happen. We’ll have to wait and see.
Radman,
Vote:If you were drowning and someone came to your rescue, would you demand to see your would-be rescuers’ proof of passing First Aid courses, registration as a surf life saver and proof of completion of a boat safety course before you were plucked out of the water?
April 28th, 2011 at 9:52 am
“If this gets pulled off, it would have to be the most anti-democratic coup, aided and abetted by the media that I have ever seen in NZ!”
didnt the Greens set the precedent a few years ago?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:53 am
As events twist and turn, so too will the ACT party List rankings, eg: if Banks wins Epsom, Brash is No 1 on the List and would come in, but who would be no’s 2, 3, 4, 5 ……?
Boscowan must be feeling the blowtorch on his feet now -”do I stick with Hide and if Hide loses the leadership will I get an unelectable position on the List, or do I throw my support behind Brash in exchange for the No. 2 slot on the list? And what position has Calvert already negotiated?”.
It’s decision time folks.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Well one shining light Lucia is at least he is doing it by knifing Rodney Hide on the chest rather than in the back!!
But I agree the bravado is demeaning to the man. It is disgraceful. I want to know who is pulling his strings. Probably John Banks!!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:54 am
Pete – why? what scares you about ACT!? can you point to some specific policies that frighten you?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@ S.Russell – If the Act Party is drowning then they have been so since 1994 when the media was writing them off then!! They are awfulyl good swimmers!!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:57 am
“However if the media are correct, then Don has won and will become Leader. I still stand by my comments about the nature of the coup. It is about winning the war, not the battle. And my concern is that Don has damaged his brand which was almost being above politics.”
Seriously, is the oxygen that idiotic on planet David?
I can only wonder what dizzy heights he’d now be achieving if he’d been listening to your ‘advice’!!
How about ‘It looks like I might have got it wrong, and Don’s a smarter strategist and politician than I gave him credit for’?
There. that didn’t hurt, did it?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:58 am
I’m at a loss to see the problem raised by Dr Brash’s so called takeover of ACT. He brings with him his own useful brand & the money that ACT would not otherwise have to contest the coming election. What has he got for his efforts? Five PM’s who couldn’t agree to order lunch, a depleted party membership & a pristine list of ACT’s founding principles which hasn’t been used for years.
Some bargain.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:01 am
smttc – it doesn’t matter what I voted last time, it’s the next election that matters.
If I thought that the Greens had a secure 5%, National (probably) had a secure lead, and Act had shown enough stability and reasonable policy and were cutting it fine to reach 5% and weren’t sure of getting an electorate seat I’d consider giving them my party vote.
dime – it’s too soon to make any judgements on Act’s policies, I don’t know what they’ll be. I have a vague idea what Brash will want but I presume someone else will get a bit of a say too – or will that not be the new Act way?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Excellent stuff.
Finally ACT wakes up again. About bloody time. Slough off the disco dancing trougher. Sorry Rodney, but you blew it, nice bloke but you ultimately didnt have the chops to lead.
Imagine a proper liberal party. Solid economics, the politics of self reliance and personal responsibility. An understanding that prosperity is a legitimate goal for all, not something to be ashamed of, and a strong view that Government should stay the hell out of regulating social behaviour. What’s not to like?
I can see why the Nats such as DPF are getting a bit sweaty though – first, it reminds them of how much the government has drifted aimlessly this term, and secondly, it is going to make the relationship with the Maori Party a bit bouncy.
On the latter point, I guess this is why DPF is pooh poohing Brash. But I personally can see little long-run problem with an accommodation between ACT and Maori. Both believe in property rights, both believe in social and economic betterment, and Maori are increasingly wielding economic resources. Brash has to back off the rhetoric, and the Maori Prty need to front up on their personal responsibility message. Should be very doable.
Obviously the Labour and Green teams will try to use this as a wedge issue, but maybe if DPF put his mind to it, he could see how this represents a potential win-win outcome for NZ.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:09 am
DPF, you don’t really do these change of leaderships very well do you.
When Key rolled Don is was all Don’s great..Don’s great..oh gosh…Key’s great…Key’s great…
It will be the same here – Rodney’s the man, Rodney’s the man..opps…Don’s the man, Don’s the man…
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:09 am
pete – if you don’t know what the policies are, why are you concerned if they get 10%?
you don’t know nationals policies for the next term either.
if ACT! stays true to their current polices (as found on their site), what exactly are you concerned about?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:11 am
PG: “I’d maybe support Act getting 5% but I wouldn’t want to see them getting 10%.”
So you want a compliant Act and, by extension, a less decisive government. Is that the preferred strategy while the left re-groups and re-invents itself for 2014 and beyond?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:15 am
– if you don’t know what the policies are, why are you concerned if they get 10%?
Lack of parliamentary experience, especially if Hide is right out of the picture. And if Act look like getting that sort of support it will probably swing more floaters towards Labour.
cg – Act will have to be mostly compliant but with some influence, unless they get big support (which is unlikely), and even then they won’t have much experience to use their numbers.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Interesting interview with Dr Brash on NTN this morning.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ntn/2011/04/28/leadership_bid_for_the_act_party
Sir Roger may finally be able to give his full support to a leader.
Vote:When was the last time that happened (Norman Kirk, perhaps ?)
April 28th, 2011 at 10:18 am
Pete, you want ACT and the Greens???? If you would support ACT at 5.5%, why not 10%. What kind of voting strategy is this? I cannot see you voting ACT ever. You sound like a lefty to me.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:20 am
Brash leading Act is a win for National.
Vote:National can afford to lose some support to ACT. It can’t afford to have its right wingers and its libertarian supporters just not vote. Which has happened in the past.
This is the same as Labour used the Alliance and later the Progressives to sop up the Communist.
Mind you. Labour was/is still infested with Marxist.
April 28th, 2011 at 10:26 am
Pete – thats all youve got? lack of parliamentary experience?
sounds like a good thing to me. people from outside the game.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Its all go:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4934835/ACT-leadership-stoush-Rodney-Hide-set-to-resign
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:29 am
The nervous nellies in the Nats will be packing themselves…
“You mean we might HAVE to try to close the gap with Australia….”
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:32 am
I agree dime @ 10 26 Joyce, Key their lack of years is no impediment whereas poor old Goof his longevity is just more concrete in his flippers.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:33 am
ACT under Brash will be the party that National should be.
The only thing National will have going for it will be the argument that voting for ACT is a wasted vote; and remember, it’s exactly that argument which brought most of the Western democracies to their current state of two-party socialism.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Personally I might have voted for them this election – except that Brash is appointing John Banks for Epsom.
The guy’s a complete cock. Incredibly unlikeable and a consummate politician – he represents what I hate about politicians. There seemed to be so much bullshit from him around the supercity, and he was a bit too skilled with soundbites and media management.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:38 am
smttc – why the fixation with left/right? Some people don’t think narrowly like you seem to.
dime – some people from “outside the game” are a good thing, hence Brash’s initial popularity with National, and Key’s popularity. But you also need some people who know the game and how to play it.
If Act got 10% that would give them about 12 seats? A hell of a lot would rest on Boscawen’s shoulders, unless he get’s the bums rush for being loyal to Hide. Roy and Calvert don’t enthuse. Is Tashkoff out of the picture, he was next on the list? Who else would fill up the list? They’d have to do some serious recruiting to get a credible dozen.
Ah yes, and Banks. Brash’s new Exclusive Brother.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:40 am
Rodney Hide is standing down as leader of Act at midday today, according to Barry Soper’s “party insiders” …
http://keepingstock.blogspot.com/2011/04/has-hilary-switched-sides.html
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:43 am
“I also reckon Act will obviously go up in the polls until Brash starts stuffing it up as he’s bound to.”
Unlike the political genius Phil Goff you mean ftc?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:51 am
I can’t help but feel like David has invested all his money in iPredict stocks for Rodney to win Epsom this November. I simply just cannot think of any other reason why all the posts he’s made regarding this issue so far seem so negative.
Clint Heine (1,157) Says:
April 28th, 2011 at 9:30 am
So essentially a party led by a Nat, with Judas Roy running numbers, Sir Roger who’s retiring and Hilary who has switched sides already after one conversation? Yeah a powerhouse. The people of Epsom might think that John Keys faction of the Nats are slightly better than the Brash side of the National Party. Might be time for me to finally give this game up.
Great, going by your blog we need less immature people like you in ACT.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:03 am
We’re tired of a party that has spent three years trying to be “best buds” with Labour voters.
It will be nice to have someone prepared to represent *us* – you know, the right – now….
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Agreed. I consider myself a liberal centrist, but i don’t think i could bring myself to vote for labour-lite this time around.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:19 am
This is the best thing since sliced bread for Act. How can you say this has damaged Brashs’ brand DPF. This IS Dons brand, he doesnt muck around! He is the type of politician we need at the moment with all this crap that we are taking at the moment. GOOD NEWS !
Also, from what i hear there are a lot of very interesting people wanting to sign up for act now that rodney is going. This will totally revitalize the party.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:31 am
smttc said about pete george:
Have you only just noticed smttc? Petey is a true lefty, he subversively tries to give the appearance that he is a centrist, by sitting on the fence on most issues, but if you’re smart enough to see through his waffle, it is plainly evident that he is a lefty.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:36 am
This is the best thing since sliced bread for Act.
Really, with Roy as deputy again??!! Some of you have short memories!!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Funny mattypoo – how do you know I’m not a righty subversive fooling blind righties to think I appear like like a leftie trying to be a righty while sitting on the fence? I don’t often sit on the fence anyway, I just don’t jump to conclusions without knowing anything about things like you do.
Radman – deputy will be interesting, Roy who will have backed Brash from the start, Calvert to pay her for her switch, Boscawen for some semblance of stability? It’s a bit soon to parachute another non-MP Nationalite ex-mayor into the number two spot (I don’t know how comfortable Banks would be as an underling).
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 11:50 am
It sounds like Boscawen may be going with Rodney and Roy will be Deputy. If this turns out to be true, this will be a monumental fuck-up on Brash’s part.
Roy is most suited to the labour party where she would just be another faction, she hasn’t got the smarts or the focus to be a worthy deputy of a sandpit, let alone a smart thinking political party.
And the loss of Boscawen would be truly tragic, he is one of the guys who just puts his head down, ass up and gets things done.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Agree with you Mattyroo. Roy is a nonentity.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Pete, you still haven’t explained why you would support both the Greens and ACT being in parliament. And the political diversity argument doesn’t cut it. The Greens are a bunch of batshit loony tunes.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Hide is gone, Brash wins.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
He’s gone – sad to see him go. But looking forward to the Brash revolution.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Oh come on mattyroo, most Actoids here all wanted Brash. They will now reap what they sow!!!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
I want Brash, Radman, because I’m a realist and I don’t see Hide taking ACT where it needs to be. I do however like Hide and would’ve voted for him as my MP in Epsom in November.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
So that was pretty tidy then wasn’t it. Excellent. The Don always stabs you in the front, and is never afraid of saying it like he sees it. Guess this is what political naiivete looks like? If so, can we have some more.
Not like all those sneaky little beehive insiders who prefer to run whispering campaigns eh?
I think the labour party could watch and take notes. This is what personal bravery and integrity looks like. Eh Andrew, David, Grant, Trevor?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Quite an awkward press conference in my opinion. Sad to see Rodney go but hopefully in a few weeks’ time this will all have blown over and ACT goes back to polling decently.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
ACT will see a bounce in the polls, but 2 questions remain.
Will they be able to maintain such a level of support? and will some in labour note the lift in the polls and sharpen thier knives?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Interesting to hear Espiner’s views that the Act changes will mean big problems for National. He really likes to spin things at the earliest moment. Will he continue to do so on the news at 6?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
smttc – batshit loony tunes need to be represented too, you should know that.
Greens have been the only minor party to always be above the threshold since we’ve had MMP. Taht desevers some represntation in parliament. Try comparing their party vote and polling to Act.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Champagne at DPF’s house?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Rodney resiged from Leadership.
Vote:Well now we will see if Brash can do anything. What will haoppen in Parliament now there is no leader?
April 28th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
This is good. On the basis that Rodders couldn’t win Epsom this year, Act under Dr Brash can’t do worse than it currently is. The only way is up.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
PinkGina (92) Says:
April 28th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Interesting to hear Espiner’s views that the Act changes will mean big problems for National. He really likes to spin things at the earliest moment. Will he continue to do so on the news at 6?
Ha, I think DPF has to take the top award for best spinster. Have you been reading his posts so far on this issue?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
THIS IS A GIANT HEADACHE FOR JOHN KEY!….think about the Maori party relationship now? what will happen? also with Brash being the leader on the outside of the house..What will he say? How will Rodney react inside the house?????? better get your shit together National.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
I have Courage – but DPF would never spin the Nats the wrong way round
max.auckland – a good headache to have
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Hmmm, did he commision the poll for next week to work with on the assumption he would already be party leader? Otherwise surely he would have done the poll before the roll. Confidence or arrogance?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Don Brash has not hurt his ‘brand’. He appeals to those who want economic literacy, fiscal and social responsibility. He doesn’t have to pander to those on the left who want debt, spoon feeding of the masses and the State hovering over every aspect of our lives. He may just be the best thing that has happened for ACT since the early days.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
It will be a joy filled lunch at Labour HQ this afternoon. Phil G will be weeping with relief. He’s just been given a razor edged stick to beat Key with.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Lets not forget that Brash is not entitled to any votes or speaking rights in the house. Rodney is an elected MP.
Doesn’t make for a good working enviroment nor for much progress in the house especially whne Key supports Rodney.
Key may well now stand a strong opponent in Wpsom and Brash or his lapdog may get scuttled.
Banks ain’t liked by many.
And lets look at his history in recent times.
Shoved out of Parliament, bullied encumbent Mayor of Auckland, was a failure as the Mayor of Auckland in mostpeoples analysis especially at the following election.
Could beat a Liarbour Candidate.
What does that tell you about how Aucklanders view Banks.
National for Epsom this November.
Vote:New ipredict stock surley.
April 28th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
So Brash has taken over ACT. How long before DPF posts cogently on this, ie how hard will getting messaging out of English’s office be?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
“Has Calvert switched?’
Vote:I guess the answer to your question is “yes”, she has.
April 28th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
better get your shit together National.
More important for Brash to do that right now – he’s done the easy bit.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
With luck, this also means we can be shot of the racist assholes that are the maori party.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Return of the Living Dead.
Wait for the announcement that Douglas has changed his mind and decided he still has something to “contribute” in Parliament.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
To everybody who thinks ACT might get 5-10% with Don Brash as leader I say you are dreaming…. stop kidding yourselves and get real.
ACT will get 18.67% of the vote in this election (or maybe 18.82%; I can’t be too precise at this stage).
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Now that’s done and dusted would someone please tell Sarkozy to stand aside, I have decided to become president of France. Citizenship? Pffft. That’s trivial, I shall become a citizen later but I won’t commit to France yet in case they won’t accept my kind offer and I have to become a German instead.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Poor old Toad, the slim chance that the Greens might have been a part of the next government has vanished.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
“Gone by Lunchtime”.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Jesus, I think I’m in agreement with the little green frog in not wanting Roger Douglas anywhere near the ACT party. But for entirely different reasons I suspect.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
So, I take it ACT have now regained your vote Big Bruv?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
We certainly live in interesting times! Whale already has a post up about the leadership switch.
@ Dave Mann Fence sitter.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
SO! either Don stays a leader outside of parliamentary caucus (not gonna happen), or somebody steps aside on the party list to allow Don to take a list seat in Parliament?
Hillary would be first to go wouldn’t she? is that why she backed Rodney initially?
One of the Act MPs has to go if Don is to come in. it won’t be Rodney as he is the reason they are in parliament. If he goes then the whole of Act goes!
this has been overlooked by almost everyone, including the dullards in the media!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
His ‘brand’ is still in excellent shape when compared to Mr Hide’s.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
or somebody steps aside on the party list to allow Don to take a list seat in Parliament?
That’s a rule the Don can’t sidestep. He can’t just plant himself on the 2008 list.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Batman – Don was not on the ACT list at the last election. No matter what happens this term (save winning a by-election) Don Brash is not going to be an MP before December. He wasn’t nominated as a list MP so he can’t be one.
Also. Even if Rodney resigns from Parliament the other ACT members don’t lose their seats. There is simply a by-election in Epsom, and whether ACT wins or loses, they keep their four list MPs.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@ Batman
Don Brash isn’t listed anywhere on the 2008 ACT party list. The only way he is entering Parliament before November 26 is through winning a by election.
Only seven months to go. Tick tock tick tock.
Welcome to the new world of Lightning political warfare.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
What I find interesting is the people saying how Brash is toxic to female voters – my observation has actually been the opposite – except to those who would never have voted Act of course.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Yes shady, that has been my observation too lately. I was under the impression that Brash was toxic to the females, but based on discussions i have been involved in, this seems to be far from the case. I mentioned on another post the other day how a hardened Clark voter said she would probably vote ACT if Brash assumed leadership.
Maybe it was Clark projecting her views of Brash (cancerous & corrosive) onto all the females that seemed to hold the bilious bitch in high esteem.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Oh, Chris Diack, where are you???? How are you feeling right now?
Seems all your Hide propaganda earlier in the week was in vain…..
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
What’s been happening with Dick Prebble these days, it’d be interesting to get his perspective on this.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Goff has nicked DPF’s blog posts and issued it as a press release.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
I still reckon Rodney could have won Epsom, again, but that’s academic now.
Vote:Welcome to our new leader.
And I’m very gratified by all the postings over the past few days from those would support ACT if only Don Brash was leader. Membership can be done online at http://www.act.org.nz.
Welcome aboard.
Now the hard work begins.
April 28th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
mattyroo
“So, I take it ACT have now regained your vote Big Bruv?”
Fucking oath they have!
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Brash has not “tarnished his brand” at all.
Those who liked “Brashs Brand” when he got 40% of the vote,still like “Brashs Brand” and National are worried about it.
Can someone who believes Brash has “Tarnished his Brand” please tell me what you believe his “Brand” to be, then explain how he has “tarnished it”?
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Can someone who believes Brash has “Tarnished his Brand” please tell me what you believe his “Brand” to be, then explain how he has “tarnished it”?
I believe the argument is that Don Brash’s brand is that he isn’t really a “politician” and he doesn’t plays political games, and that in his takeover he’s been shown to be just like every other politician.
I don’t think it’s accurate, but that’s how the argument goes.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
shady 12:55 pm. Based on what my cousin was saying about Don Brash in 2004, that’s my take too.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
This change of leadership in ACT has been far from ideal. Surely Don Brash could have just joined, and got a high place on the list. However that didn’t happen. If Don Brash can electrify ACT’s vote like he did for National in 2005, it will have been worth it. I’d rather not have John Banks in ACT though. He’s never struck me as a classical liberal.
cheers
David Prosser
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Right, well that clears that up then! and to think, I have a degree in this malarky! better spend more time reading the fine print of the electoral laws!
So Brash is an out-of-caucus leader for the next SEVEN MONTHS, This could work well as it would allow Brash to get out an about without having to worry about silly things like Parliament sitting
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
This could work well as it would allow Brash to get out an about without having to worry about silly things like Parliament sitting
That’s something I sort of agree with, Hide’s problem was he had too many jobs to try and do. I think the task of party leader deserves far more attention than a must-win electorate candidate can give it.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
PG – don’t the two dovetail quite well? i.e. if he had exercised competent leadership, he would have most certainly won Epsom. Yet he did not. All academic now though.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
Courage Wolf, good work finding out in a few years that your short termism failed. I am not going anywhere, the party will need to be repaired again eventually. Send me a postcard when you start snuggling up to John Banks and Colin Craig.
Vote:April 28th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
Now that this thread is dying a natural death, it may be opportune to politely point out to DPF that, in different circumstances, his thread header has alternative connotations.
Particularly in view of his use of the term, elsewhere, cluster fuck
Just a thought…
Vote: