Comments on: The Labour reshuffle

By: ChardonnayGuy

ChardonnayGuy — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 02:49:52 +0000

Conversely, who will bite the bullet after next year, provided that the Key administration wins a third term? Will Nick Smith slip up again? How will any residual local animosities about the Christchurch reconstruction effort affect its voting patterns?
Will Hekia Parata survive? What about John Banks- and will Catherine Isaac replace him either before or at the next election, and take the education portfolio (presumably to direct the charter schools rollout more intensively)? Is there any blue deadwood that can be pushed out of the list lifeboat to insure that the detrimental effects of incumbency fatigue don’t deprive the governing party of its more useful core operatives? And if the shine is starting to wear off Key, when will Joyce take over?

By: rg

rg — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:48:02 +0000

” he will obviously be a senior Minister when Labour get into government.”

A bit defeatest isn’t it. I think this National Govt has been the worst National Govt NZ have ever had, I don’t know how anyone can defend their incompetence and their ability to do and achieve nothing, but a bit early to throw in the towell I would have thought.

By: dime

dime — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:46:47 +0000

“chippie” was abysmal when debating Joyce the other day.

He was ok when the topic got back to education.

Im sure the waitakere man will embrace the wing nut ginga nerd though

By: backster

backster — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:52:15 +0000

Shane could be shadow Immigration Minister, I didn’t realize Nanaia was pregnant I thought she was slimming. Is Meteria pregnant too.? Shearer should do with Cunlliffe what Clark did to Goff (and Peters) give him Foreign Affairs to make him feel important and occupy himself eyeing all the overseas perks.

By: Cunningham

Cunningham — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:31:21 +0000

At the end of the day, he can do what he wants but you cannot polish a turd! The Labour party just doesn’t have the talent yet unfortunately it is looking like they have a more then even chance of governing next election. Scary indeed.

By: BeaB

BeaB — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:04:17 +0000

Little is virtually invisible in Parliament.
Street has been weak.

By: Pete George

Pete George — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:01:54 +0000

A reshuffle is a major test for Shearer – will he signal an attempt to bring together his caucus and promote on merit, or will he add to the current division?

If Cunliffe remains shunned by Shearer there will remain many disillusioned party activists and supporters.

By: double d

double d — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:58:49 +0000

why is it a bad look to demote Mahuta when she is on annual leave? conversely, how well is she performing in her portfolio if she is on maternity leave. has this world gone mad?

By: tvb

tvb — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:46:57 +0000

Good predictions. Shearer has to unify his caucus. Mahuta is useless always has been. If she want to have a family then do so. But it does not work at the top of politics where you have to put the job first. Dalziel could move into the justice portfolio. But Labour is not getting runs on the Board in the big portfolios. Hipkins is performing well against Parata but then that would be like shooting fish in a barrel Parata is simply too arrogant to be a success at the top of politics in a democratic country.

By: metcalph

metcalph — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:36:47 +0000

I still don’t understand this Chauvel quitting because someone he doesn’t like told him he had no future in any Labour Government. As if that had ever stopped Maurice Williamson or Winston Peters.

By: Dave Guerin

Dave Guerin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:32:33 +0000

Shearer could make Little shadow Attorney-General too. He was the EPMU’s lawyer before he became its head.

[DPF: I agree]