Thursday, June 26, 2008

Watching political suicide

According to the New Zealand Herald,

Prime Minister Helen Clark says a postal ballot in 2009 is the best course for a potential referendum on the anti-smacking law because having it on election day would cause voter confusion and slow down the vote count.

I hope this is the last piece of corruption we have to stomach from this government.

The Prime Minister's reaction to the anti-smacking CIR is actually worse than her support for the legislation after earlier ruling it out. There is every provision for the referendum to be held at the same time as the 2008 election. How did she manage to procure the advice she wanted to hear?

In a speech to launch my candidacy I observed that my recent canvassing, which comprises superannuitants, has shown there is a large chunk of disillusioned Labour voters. The proverbial straw was the anti-smacking legislation. Here we have an entire generation who have been told they got it fundamentally wrong. And that hurt.

Now she is rubbing salt in the wound by saying voters are too stupid to handle more than one choice on her big day.

And it will be a big but very bad day for Labour. Without the referendum voters will still express their anger and alienation. They will either vote against Labour or stay home.

8 comments:

PM of NZ said...

Lindsay, fully agree.

Every parent that I know that has practical parenting skills, having actually had children to bring up, has been slighted by this legislation.

The only ones that believe such drivel as not-smacking are the brainwashed and nannied crop of newbie parents with children born under her regime.

Sadly includes my own grandchildren. I am sure a mollycoddled upbringing will do wonders for them in their futures when they truly get to experience a cold hard world filled with reality.

Swimming said...

How did she manage to procure the advice she wanted to hear?
I have the answer Lindsay. the report is here. The PM has had this advice since March.

Swimming said...

Parliament could, if it so chooses, vote on a resolution requiring the voting period for a postal ballot to close on Election Day.

If John Key really prefers an election day referendum, lets see his party put forward the resolution if his words are not hollow politicking.

Anonymous said...

A public servant prefers a soft option. Any news here?

Anonymous said...

And his master is happy.

Anonymous said...

Confused?Come election day i definitely wont be.Bye Bye Helen

Anonymous said...

Clark has nowhere to go. She and her colleagues are backed into the proverbial corner.

To allow this referendum, (my philosophical opposition to referenda in general, ie majority rule, notwithstanding), to go ahead would result in a resounding slap for she, Bradford & their parties.

She's desperately trying to clutch at straws, but it ain't working. When you're on the way down, you're on the way down.

And in spite of the rise of National at her expense, I simply *cannot* repress the satisfaction the thought of her downfall brings me! :)

Anonymous said...

People want "a government that is on their side not on their backs".