I joined the National Party, rather than the Labour Party, when I became active in politics in 1988.... because I did not agree with the speed and indifference with which Labour had gone about the economic reforms.
I was in for a bit of a shock when my own party took over in 1990 and moved even faster, allowing unemployment to reach 11 per cent in 1992 – the worst since the Great Depression, but a record that will probably be broken over the next year...I believe the speed and sequencing of the economic reforms did terrible harm to the institutions of our communities, and to far too many of our families...
I do not believe that previous governments, or the current Government, moved fast enough or boldly enough to address the social deficit, or help the underclass, or however you describe the deep-seated social problems we continue to see all around us.It's an odd juxtaposition.
[Social investment, whanau ora and the Living Standards Framework] were historic steps by the last National Government – but we did not put them in place as fast as we should have.
So too, I believe successive governments should have acted faster, and more boldly, to achieve stable policy on issues such as:
· Climate change [and water management]
He leans very heavily on National's track record of economic management yet criticises past National governments for moving too fast and then too slow.
On the whole it seems a speech designed to 'not frighten the horses' but I found it overly long, and somewhat muddled in its attempts to be all things to all people. Especially on the subject of families. It was like listening to one of those symphonies which signals the crescendo, the finale and you feel slightly relieved but then ... it continues on.
It isn't a speech for me though. I'm a committed ACT voter. I'm also a 'policy voter' whereas Muller seems keen to sell himself to the 'personality voter' as a People's Prime Minister who will be "kind, competent and bold."
In fact, "I don’t think that kindness is a deep enough value. I was born in a town called Love."
He uses the word 'love' no less than 17 times.
You can't help but conclude he is determined to out-Jacinda Jacinda. That is a very risky and frankly, timid strategy. Dear Leader fans have got their woman. It's the ones she turns off who are looking for their man. And I doubt he will be the male embodiment of her.
3 comments:
I've only read your extract, but Muller sounds like those bitter Left types bemoaning "neoliberalism ". He had been displaying wetness when he took over - this is now soaking in it. His deputy is also noted for being in the wrong Party because of her leftist wetness. This isn't even "Labour-lite", it's full blown.
Labour are diabolical and shouldn't be returned to power, so this is disastrous for NZ {National just as bad; taking us down the gurgler}
Sadly, Todd Muller is trying to compete with a much better image. You need a simple message in politics and it’s got to be a different one to your opposition. This will suit ACT but it’ll also suit NZF. Let’s hope ACT will triumph. One of the better outcomes of this election would be the end of NZF.
I view all politicians the same. I dislike them all equally.
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