Transtasman on Goff
August 19th, 2011 at 12:18 pm by David FarrarTranstasman reported yesterday:
Meanwhile Goff questioned his front bench colleagues last week as to whether he should resign as leader. The questioning took place at a pre-caucus meeting of the front bench group. It followed publication of at least three opinion polls showing Labour slipping heavily in electoral popularity.
Caucus sources says the response to the question was muted, with one senior MP saying
“it’s up to you Phil.” There was no disagreement. The catalyst for a leadership discussion is the realisation if Labour slips further respected list MPs like Kelvin Davis and Stuart Nash may lose their places.
They’re just all waiting for Goff to lose, so they can axe him after the election instead and let him take the blame for the loss.
UPDATE: Stuff reports Goff denies he offered to quit. But of course you have to deny such stuff.
Related posts:
- Someone is telling lies
- A Labour reshuffle?
- Goff to strengthen leadership further
- Transtasman Predictions
August 19th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Goff should quit now and allow the entertainment of a labout self destruction event be his legacy. Entertainment is the only thing hes offered since the last election so it fits.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@Murray
Vote:Chris Carter would be behind him… I mean…. support him to that end.
That’s still Freudian!
Umm
Chris would applaud such an action
August 19th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for opening that particular can of EWWWWW Lance. Just in time for lunch too.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Reality had to bite some time.
The problem that the young turks have is that the Labour Party is yet to do a full clean out. Clarke and Cullen retiring wasn’t enough.
Someone in the party — but I doubt that there is anyone with sufficient authority to do so — has to engineer a coup, in which Phil Goff, Annette King, David Cunliffe, David Parker, Ruth Dyson, Parekura Horomia, Maryan Street, Clayton Cosgrove and Trevor Mallard are all dumped. Yes, this is the top of their list. But the problem for Labour isn’t just the leader or his deputy. Everyone who was a minister in the last Goverment who hasn’t said sorry publiclly is the problem.
Those sitiing near the danger zone know this.
It will be bloody, but once self-interest really kicks in, anything can happen.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
It’s an interesting scenario. It seems doubtful that anyone would wish to step up now and wear the November pasting. But would a change of leader now shore up their vote at all? It worked a little bit for Mike Moore in 1990, but it would still come across as cynical desperation.
george – It’s unlikely that all those named would be cleared out. Political parties don’t do that. Just look at the members of the Cabinet now that were Ministers under Shipley.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I can think of at least three reasons why there would be a long queue of people wanting to be leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party right now:
1. Every MP dreams of leading their party. Labour MPs probably more so, since it automatically puts them in the same league as Savage, Lange and Clark (and while technically also in the same league as Rowling, Palmer and Goff, they can look over that);
2. No one will expect you to win, so any result above zero MPs is a victory.
3. The person who is leader of the opposition when Parliament opens next year is the only person other than John Key with any realistic chance of being Prime Minister after the 2014 election. And how do you guarantee that you become the leader of the opposition when Parliament opens next year? Become the leader of the opposition now.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Also George, at least one of the old-timers will be making themselves amiable to discussing a coup for the sake of self preservation. We’re effectively seeing the script for a left-wing House of Cards being written in front of us as we speak.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Agree it is unlikely that the whole top would be culled, but it has to be more than just the leader and deputy.
Interestingly, only three of the current nine senior-most Cabinet Ministers served under Shipley: English, Smith and Ryall, and Smith and Ryall were rather junior ministers at that.
The equilivent for Labour would be Cunnliffe, Parker and Street.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I’m sure someone will answer this fully but English and Smith enjoy big majority seats. I don’t know about Ryall.
Which of the Labour trio are list?
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
Parker and Street are both list. Cunnliffe is the MP for New Lynn.
Although Cunliffe enjoys a 4000 vote majority, the party vote is only 60 votes in favour of Labour.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Of course Goff has to deny this sort of stuff – denial’s genetically bred into the Labour Party.
And who would want a poison chalice like Labour leadership before the election? But come November 27th – it’s pass the parcel time …
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Christopher Thomson…Ryall has second largest majority in the country. Second to the PM. Diplomatic don’t you think?
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
But isnt it sooooo good wtaching the Socialists committing slow and painful suicide. Death by a thousand cuts.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
Don’t go, Phil. You are Labour’s best asset.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Pleeeeeeeeease Phil. Don’t go. National needs you.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
The problem with Goff is not that he is not likeable, on the contrary, he is a pleasant and likeable person.
The issue is his ability, and in that regard he has been found wanting.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
The problem isn’t just Phil Goff, if he had been replaced any time in the last two and a half years I doubt Labour would be any better off now.
The problem isn’t just that the public doesn’t understand their great policies.
The problem isn’t just that the media are against them and don’t give them a fair go.
The problem isn’t just the CT/WO/DPF/MH/NACT dirty tricks conspiracy.
If you wanted to name a single problem it would be something like “old Labour Party”. The only way of starting to fix that is major renewal. It’s far too late for that this term, Goff off or not.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
I can’t help feeling a little sorry for Goff. The stars are aligned against him on almost every variable you can care to name. He is taking the fall for a political swing, and is not a bad guy even if he has less charisma then my Auntie’s fruitcake and has more blandness then a slice of white bread with margarine and a carrot. Still, it absolutely serves him and Labour right for what they were like with Bill English when he was the leader of the Nats and the stars were aligned under that Helen lady. Labour still can’t believe they are in opposition. In New Zealand it’s not the Tories, if we even have real Tories here, who think they’re born to rule.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Again the usual Kiwibloggers are hugely underestimating Labour.
You never know what kind of bribe they’re going to pull out of their asses at the last minute before the elections. Ridiculousness is not a factor (e.g. Interest-free student loans). Just wait and see.
And don’t forget that the real enemy is John “Kiss-Ass” Key, who rather than looking to the interests of the country treats his role as self-gratifying celebrityism, focusing on not offending the average mum and dad voter.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
upandcomer, stop feeling sorry for goofy. If he had any balls, he’d say fuck you lot I’m out of here. But this will never happen any time soon.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Schadenfreude. That pretty much sums it up. I still find “We won, you lost. Eat that.” one of the remarks that typified the attitude of that previous Labour administration.
What happened to the concept of humble in victory and gracious in defeat that was supposed to be a mark of good character?
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Pete George, I don’t believe the media are against them, the media are from a demographic that is aligned with left wing thinking and paradigms, so I am surprised that coverage of a national government has been more neutral then in previous periods
Labour has had some good policies (Kiwisaver, Civil Unions, Legalising Prostitution).
But most of Labour’s policies have been very bad in principle (their ridiculous tax policies), ineptly executed (Working for families – the middle class welfare, Interest free student loans – massively underestimated uptake) incredibly self-serving (i.e. the Electoral Finance Act) or massively vindictive (the crazy re-purchase of Kiwirail to dump in an incoming Govt’ lap, the breach of the Public Finance Act in relation to their non-disclosure about ACC liabilities… the list is pretty long). A lot of their policies are also hypocritical (The GST exemption now, note they will not revoke higher GST, nothing similar when they were in govt; Capital Gains – they were in office for 9 years during a housing bubble, no changing incentives then; the Cullen tax cuts delivered with an immense grimace)
Are you kidding me about the dirty tricks conspiracy. If there was a Labour government, anyone who commented on here who was able enough to do a good job in the public service would be fired or not hired if Labour knew who you were. They absolutely stifled the public service and blatantly destroyed the concept of public sector neutrality. Labour’s speakers were a partisan nonsense. Labour are ruthless, dirty and low-brow. Right now they are also ineffectual, incompetent and sulky. They not only lack any real business experience, but aside from Dr Cullen and Helen Clark their academics are not or haven’t even been very impressive academics. David Cunliffe is probably the brightest academic they have, so there it is.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
UpandComer – nothing to argue with there, I was just repeating what I’ve heard numerous times elsewhere as to why Labour are down in the polls. I forgot one – the polls don’t ask ther right people. And another – the voters are too stupid to see how bad Key is. It’s not their fault, according to the vocal few who still staunchly support the carcass.
And no, I’m not kidding about the conspiracy. I’ve been accused of being a part of it, of working for CT and the Beehive. You mustn’t have seen much on The Standard.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
UpAndComer: I agree with your points. The problem is that National has done bugger all about those bad policies other than continuing them. I sincerely hope they’ll do something of substance next term to try and fix some of these policies.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
The only thing that could possibly save the gagglers would be free KFC vouchers at the polling stations.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Any Liarbour front bencher will walk thru a ton of manure before taking on the leadership before the election.
Goff’s trying to find an honourable way to eject from the crashing plane but has no parachute. He’s going down in flames.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
So true. And unfortunately for them, they don’t seem to be able to see this for themselves, which is going to make 2014 another difficult campaign for them. I think the best thing for Labour would be to retire the old hands this election and bring on new blood *now*. It’s surely the only way they stand a chance at the 2014 election.
Personally, I’m quite happy for them to keep going down the line they are; the longer they stay out of power the better (although I’m not really liking National so much at the moment for their lack of action, but would rather have them in power than Labour). Having said that, I’d prefer a better opposition than Labour have been the last 3 years.
It would be quite an interesting next term of Parliament if Labour crashed and burned so much that the Greens became the major opposition party
I can’t see that happening, but it would be interesting!
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
At PG: that clarifies things…
I’ve heard another one just today that might have some merit.. John Pagani pulled out a psychological study that determines basically that people prefer relative wealth over universal wealth, which is interesting on it’s face. He then claims that this is the reason why people support tax cuts for ‘the rich’. I think tax cuts that make tax 17 cents in the dollar for more then two thirds of the country
Another one of course is Crosby Textor and subliminal marketing – in fact every 6 seconds on three News Big Mike’s voice is overlaid to tell your subconscious to vote national.
The exclusive brethren are actually in charge of TVNZ and Paul Holmes..
Leftyliberal – fair point. What National I think have recognised is that for better or for worse these policies have become part of the political framework.
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
how many by-elections will there be after labour get thrashed? King, Mallard, Goff…. any commitment from any of them that they will commit to their elected duties and see their terms out?
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Mags – do you think they’ll care about the half mil a pop as they depart the sunk ship?
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
@Pete they’ve shown no care previously so no dubt they will stay true to form
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
August 19th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Any Liarbour front bencher will walk thru a ton of manure before taking on the leadership before the election.
Goff’s trying to find an honourable way to eject from the crashing plane but has no parachute. He’s going down in flames.
Hahaa.. this brings back a memory.
H.M.S.Eagle.. 1956. Aircraft catapulted off.. Engine failure.. Bank to the left and ditch..
The pilot climbed out and stood on his sinking aircraft, as we thundered past..
He saluted.. Naval custom, the Senior Officer has to return the salute..
All aboard were piped and the required salute was returned..
Followed by ” Away seaboats crew “..
I do not think that Phil’s crash will have as much humour or dignity..
Vote:August 19th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
I’m not sure there will be many because I still think they don’t get it. Goff probably will go, the others maybe not.
If they do all go, I’m sure they won’t give a toss. They’ve spent a large proportion of their lives living off the taxpayer so what’s a bit more?
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