Why not co-deputy PMs?
December 8th, 2012 at 9:00 am by David FarrarVernon Small at Stuff reports:
David Shearer appears to be weighing up his options for deputy prime minister between Green co-leader Russel Norman and NZ First leader Winston Peters as he looks for ways to reward support partners without letting go of the key finance portfolio.
I have the solution. Make Russel and Winston co-deputy PMs!
Related posts:
- Peter Brown retires as Deputy Leader
- Competing to be opposition leader
- Russel wants Finance and seven Ministers
- A Labour-Green-NZF Cabinet
December 8th, 2012 at 9:05 am
That solution won’t go down well with some – a three male leadership.
For better balance would Russel step back and allow Metiria to be a deputy or co-deputy? Would the Green party promote that, or have they morphed into a virtual top dog party as seems apparent?
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Power-crazed Turei as deputy PM? Look out!
Vote:Christ I’d rather have Wussel……
December 8th, 2012 at 9:09 am
I have a solution – make someone ‘Treasurer’ with a reliable back up as Minister of Finance.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:12 am
Deputy PM is a meaningless courtesy title; not like they are given any real power.
Key take away from this, Shearer has publicly slapped down any thoughts of a green finance minister.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:13 am
Has anyone asked Grant how he feels about this? (Other than Cunliffe of course)
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:18 am
Isn’t it rather early to be counting your chickens? One could easily draw a parallel New Zealand Cricket mucking about with the captaincy. I wouldn’t stand too near the cot when the toys start flying…
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:20 am
Duncan – I think that may be the idea here. Fomenting happy mischief.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:41 am
Could be a useful strategy for the Greens if they somehow get into coalition govt. With Metiria as co-deputy, Winston would have to bite his tongue a lot more when asked by the media about the next Green’s “great-idea” or policy for the economy etc.
Meanwhile Russel could be patiently waiting in the wings for a few months when Winston or his party starts to fall apart under the pressure of Parliament and the now constant media glare, step in and assume the other co-deputy position! It would be win-win, both co-leaders the second most powerful people in the country!
Morris dancers will be breaking out on the streets alongside today’s dreadlocked hippy kids, good times!
Well until National regain control again!
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:45 am
A good idea.
Schools – especially secondry schools – only a few years ago had a single deputy principal. these days they have at least two and sometimes as many as four. (deputy principal curiculum, pastoral care, administration, teaching, etc)
So whats wrong with several deputy leaders. They could all be given an area of responsibility. Or even better – just duputy. Theyll all have different views on everything. The media will have field day….
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:48 am
Great idea. They could job-share. One Mon-Weds, the other Thurs-Sat. And a day off all round on Sundays.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 9:51 am
After all Sunday is the day the deputy co-leaders hang out with the people … feeling the pulse of the nation of course! Thus must be paid!
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 10:04 am
Great idea. But why stop at 2 deputies – make it 3, or 5, or even 10.
The number of leaders and deputies should be assessed based on the workload, not on political favours. I’ve seen no economic rationale for a second deputy leader, and while the government is intent on reducing public services in all directions it would be hypocrisy to create expensive new roles in parliament just to satisfy the inflated egos of semi-competent politicians. Get real!
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 10:12 am
When has a megalomaniac ever been a co-anything?
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 10:14 am
It could be useful to formalise an already apparent trend. Our cabinets have grown massively in number over the years and, surprise, surprise, most cabinet ministers outside the top 5 or 6 are inexperienced, incompetent or both. Every NZ government has has three or four people at its core, so it doesn’t really matter what their job titles are.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 10:16 am
Yvette
Vote:National showed the way in how to manage Winston. Fancy title, no responsibilities and include him in the late-night drinking sessions. Worked pretty well till Jenny decided to get tough.
December 8th, 2012 at 10:56 am
I seemed to have missed something .. can someone please tell me how Grant Robertson has become so powerful in the Labour Party .. what has he done to be even slightly relevant?
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Sucked up to those with influence?
Edit: Actually I think Kiwi in America’s comment on the Labour Regulating Bloggers thread pretty well sums up how and why Grant has achieved so much standing in Labour
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Before Shearer starts day dreaming, I would advise him to look at the results of the Fairfax poll out today. National despite all the inept handling of affairs by John Key and his useless bunch of ministers are still went up and NZ First is below 5%. People are slowly starting to realise the fact that a toxic combination of Labour-Green-NZ First-Mana will ruin this country for good. So Shearer just count your lucky stars that you didn’t get a knife in your backside and enjoy a quiet Christmas and stop talking about Deputy PMs.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Perhaps Shearer could take some expert advice from Mike Hesson and David White on how to handle this.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
“barry (1,083) Says:
December 8th, 2012 at 9:45 am
A good idea.
Schools – especially secondry schools – only a few years ago had a single deputy principal. these days they have at least two and sometimes as many as four. (deputy principal curiculum, pastoral care, administration, teaching, etc)”
But that can’t be true, can it. Don’t the teachers unions all say that smaller teacher-student ratios are critical? If the schools are “wasting” teachers on DP admin work, maybe they think Hekia was right after all and bigger classes are better.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
What it is not appreciated is that Greenpeace NZ branch is currently running the left wing brilliantly.
Vote:It has all the media totally onside. Norman is great – the others do not really matter.
It is made up of mainly white, very well educated, middle class, mostly New Zealanders, latte drinkers with no illeducated MPs, Unionists, recent Teachers, and Homosexuals.
As for policy it is irrelevant because from their position they can say whatever they like, as they will not be accountable, as Labour and the National will, until after the election. At that time, after coalition with Labour, they can bring in whatever they want – and will do.
They have waited patiently for over 20 years since they conned the country to vote for MMP to be in such a position of power. They can see their goal, and sod anybody else, as they are always right.
As a wavering National supporter I would love to see Labour take over the left wing again.
They are not my favourites but against Greenpeace NZ they are realistic.
December 8th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
It’s not really an option to have a Foreign Minister as deputy PM, given the need to have someone acting PM when the PM is abroad.
So Peters being considered for this reduces his portfolio options. Which would please Goff.
How can Labour reserve Finance for Parker/Cunliffe and Clark – if Winston gets deputy PM (and a senior domestic portfolio) and Norman also has a senior domestic portfolio?
Two deputies, raises the circumstances of who is acting PM – anyone remember a guy called Haig (around the time Reagan was shot).
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Key-is-our-man 11.01am: agree with you. I think National need to be reminded constantly that they have the capability, if they play their cards right and don’t get into any more cup-of-tea or Dotcom situations, to govern alone. What is missing in NZ is a credible centre-right newspaper which does not offend the more conservative readers but counteracts the existing leftie publications. Why do I say this ? Because there are large numbers of voters out there who do not read blogs or websites but rely on the printed word and TV ( most of NZF voters would be in this category ). Winston has had the older, non-computerised , adoring and gullible section of NZ for too long. Time to get another 5% for National.
Vote:December 8th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
If you don’t think that our metropolitan newspapers already count as centre-right, then I don’t know where you are going to find as newspaper that meets your imaginary specifications.
Vote: