All posts tagged Phil Goff

Chauvel swipes at Shearer, and calls for Goff and Mallard to go?

In his valedictory statement in Parliament today Charles Chauvel has been critical of David Shearer’s shadow cabinet, and appears to have called for Phil Goff and Trevor Mallard to step down.

Sir, I’ve been a member of ther Labour Party since 1985. In my view it remains the greatest force for meaningful social change in this country. It continues to offer energy, ideas and talent from it’s ranks that would adorn any cabinet.

I want to express publicly now, two hopes that I’ve confided to David Shearer in private.

First, I sincerely wish that he will be Prime Minister in a Labour led government at the end of next year. I regret that I won’t be his Attorney General, and I appreciate a statement that he share’s that regret.

Secondly, it’s unproductive to keep trying to locate and exclude the supposed enemy within.

Instead in order to avoid history repeating, it’s time for an honest, open and overdue assessment of why the 2011 campoaign produced Labour’s worst ever electoral result.

Those responsible for it should make dignified exits, and all the undoubted talent and diversity of the caucus should be included in the shadow cabinet.

To put it in another way, in Gough Whitlam’s immortal words, the party must have both it’s wings to fly.

It’s obvious Chauvel is talking about the deep division between what are seen as the David Shearer supporters camp (or ABC) and the David Cunliffe camp.

The recent reshuffle did not repair the rift. There have been pointed claims that Shearer rewarded those who backed  him in the leadership vote earlier this month, and punished those who did not vote for him plus David Cunliffe who pledged to vote for Shearer but seems to be still in the naughty corner after the overblown “coup” attempt last lear.

Chauvel does not think Shearer’s new lineup adequately addresses the division.

And Chauvel also called fore “dignified exits” of those resonsible for the poor election result (they are at least partly responsible for some of the division since).

IrishBill names names at The Standard:

I’m pleased he called for Phil and Trevor to go (10’50″) it’s about time someone from caucus came out and said that.

That’s just further identification of Goff and Mallard as major causes of disatisfaction and division in the party.

Anne:

I noted Moana Mackey and Lianne Dalziel appeared not too far from tears. Two equally fine and intelligent MPs who paid a price for supporting David Cunliffe.

I don’t know if it was coincidental or not that Dalziel and Mackey were in shot throughout his speech. Cunliffe was immediately to his left.

Chauvel valedictory

hush minx:

A fine and thoughtful speech. I noted there were some less than happy looks on the faces of the front bench at the end. He has set them a challenge that they have failed so far. Now is the time for them to step up, but it’s come at the cost of a good mp who understood the best of what labor can be.

The chances of Shearer, Goff or Mallard taken much notice of this let alone action is very slim, if past actions are any indication of their refusal to accept responsibility and repair the problems.

Video link: Valedictory – Charles Chauvel – 27th February, 2013

Update: See also The Chauvel valedictory at Kiwiblog and on Charles’ valedictory at The Standard

by Pete George on February 27, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on February 27, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/02/27/chauvel-swipes-at-shearer-and-calls-for-goff-and-mallard-to-go/

Labour’s ‘Hit Squad’, and feet

Vernon Small comments at Stuff:

Behind them, keeping them honest, will be former leader Phil Goff and the demoted but not forgotten Trevor Mallard. They will team up as the nucleus of a new “hit-squad”, with extra research and media resources to dig and dish the dirt.

David Farrar at Kiwiblog pointed this out, and responds:

Mind you, they could be quite effective. They successfully destroyed David Cunliffe’s career through background briefings to media, so if they can manage that with one of their own colleagues they might be able to do it with other MPs!

But it’s a lot easier to influence the actions of their own puppet than it is of an opposing party leader.

Key didn’t exactly demote Judith Collins after Mallard’s big attempted hit last year – and arguably by drawing Andrew Little in to his game playing Mallard may have hindered Little’s climb up the ranks.

Little was 15 on Labour’s 2011 list and is now ranked 19.

Mallard was 9 in 2011, he is now unranked in the under 20 group.

It’s easier to succeed in shooting oneself in the foot than taking potshots at opponents.

by Pete George on February 26, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on February 26, 2013

http://yournz.org/2013/02/26/labours-hit-squad-and-feet/

Labour’s ongoing divide

Another party member lays bare the problems within Labour.

KhandallaViper
29 December 2012 at 6:55 am

—-What is characterising and feeding the ongoing divide?

In 2009 an approach to counter Key was necessary: a Hi-profile Leadership strategy was chosen.

This became the mantra under both Goff and Shearer: and anything that might distract from a singular public image of Labour being personified through the Leader became verboten.

That is now characterised by the obsession with The Standard by the Caucus insiders and their staff.

The membership 60/40 vote at Conference only confirmed and strengthened an atmosphere of paranoia.

There are other behaviours, events and attitudes that are characteristic of what is driving the divide in the party.

  • The Tamihere thing, so soon after a divisive Conference when calm was needed, involved wanton disregard of the membership’s wishes.
  • The continuation of the four years of marginalising Cunliffe is another example.
  • The dissing of “not one of us” MPs, and now members, is a characteristic.
  • The offering of Labour seats to prominent figures on condition that they buy into the one-voice one-leader mantra is a characteristic of the behaviour splitting the party.
  • The not-left not-right stance by the Leadership on social issues is one characteristic that is driving most activist members nuts.
  • The mis-management of the very poor public performances for so long, followed by a strategy of only allowing the Leader to speak in rehearsed set-pieces is driving the rest of the members nuts.

–How can the destructive spell be broken and the ground prepared for a Labour victory in 2014?

The attitude behind the behaviour above must change.

But there is no sign of any change in attitude in Labour leadership.The silencings will continue until moral improves.

A growing crisis, ignored.

by Pete George on December 29, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on December 29, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/12/29/labours-ongoing-divide/

Goff’s advice to Shearer

In an NZ Herald profile – Indefatigable Goff stays true to putting party before person – Phil Goff gives David Shearer some advice:

“Insofar as I’d give advice, it would be ‘stay true to yourself, do the things you believe in and show people who the real David Shearer is. Speak from your heart as well as your head’.”

I agree with that advice, but it’s interesting that Goff says this as a major reason why he didn’t get traction as Labour leader was because he didn’t come across as being true to himself, his body language betrayed his verbal language.

And Shearer suffers from the same problem. His hesitancy and mistakes suggest a lack of confidence and lack of belief in what he’s saying. As he stumbles through interviews it’s easy to imagine him distracted as he comtemplates all the coaching and advice he’s been getting.

Shearer is a poor actor under pressure.

If he is to survive and succeed as a leader Shearer certainly needs to listen to advice – more widely than he does now – but he then  make his own decisions, he needs to be seen to be himself and present himself as authentic and genuine, rather than a fumbling fake as he looks now.

In fact Shearer seems to be getting worse the more he gets corrupted by over coaching and a small coterie of colleagues who have a history of strategic blundering.

Shearer may improve if he follows Goff’s advice, but not his example.

by Pete George on November 25, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on November 25, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/11/25/goffs-advise-to-shearer/

Leak of Shearer’s conference speech – gobsmacking

Shearer should march to the podium, tear up his speech, ignore the autocue, and say …

“Fuck it, let’s tell the truth. We’ve failed you for four years, and you’re frustrated with that failure, and so am I, and it’s time we faced up to it.

I’m tired of trying to say what somebody else in the caucus wants me to say, and then saying something different later, and ending up saying nothing and going nowhere, that’s not why I returned to this country and got into politics, so here’s what I really feel, and you can decide if you want to hear it, and if you don’t, get somebody else – but at least you’ll know where I stand …”

Well, that’s a ‘gobsmacked’ post at The Standard. He then shrank back into wishful thinking:

Obviously none of this will happen, because it would be bold and honest and make the best headlines Labour have had in years, and it would transform Shearer – and Labour – overnight.

I’ve been thinking something very similar myself. I’ve been wondering how to grab Shearer by the scruff of the neck, shake him and yell:

For gods’ sake man, ditch the slogan droning, be yourself, reveal the real you, show some heart and some passion!

But I think the gizzards have been sucked out of him by the perpetually failing party machine.

Shearer is like a failing Phill Goff on valium.

by Pete George on November 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on November 9, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/11/09/leak-of-shearers-conference-speech-gobsmacking/

Putting the political boot in

The day of the jackals?

Did anyone else see the media pack swoop on Nick Smith at Wellington Airport yesterday and feel just a little nauseated?

No, I’ve avoided it, but the thrill of the chase was apparent elsewhere as well. Political blood sport. Our equivalent of a Muslim stoning or a Middle Age witch burning.

I hope that the journalists involved watch the tape again, and reflect…

I doubt it. The story of the moment overrules any emotional quotient.

And while it’s probably not necessary here I did feel sadness for the manner that other MPs have fallen from grace very publicly, like Hughes and Carter. We all make mistakes, some make big career changing ones, but it shouldn’t be an excuse for modern day stocks with maximum public humiliation. We don’t do that in our justice system.

And the political attempts to put the boot into everything around the demise of Smith’s ministerial career, to try and inflict maximum damage on the Government of New Zealand, is also a piss poor abuse.

On Backbenches last night Hone Harawira didn’t say much that stood up to scrutiny, but he did show real empathy for Nick Smith’s downfall.

Unlike Phil Goff who made a sympathetic stament but followed it up by kicking Smith in the guts. He may be more relaxed on the back benches but he retains some political vindictiveness.

by Pete George on March 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on March 22, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/03/22/putting-the-political-boot-in/

No mandate for asset sales proposals

The strongest campaigning in the election on asset sales was Labour’s extensive anti sales message.

Labour stakes it all on stopping asset sales

Labour’s campaign in the last five days before the election will focus on a single policy – opposition to National’s promised sale of up to 49 per cent of five state-owned assets.

Two words – asset sales – had defined the election campaign, Mr Goff said.

And from a Goff final week speech:

The Countdown to Stopping Asset Sales:

This is my pledge to you today.

I will travel across the country to spread this message.

I will look people in the eye and tell them that only a vote for Labour can stop the asset sales.

I will work harder this week than I ever have.

Labour bet everything on their anti asset sales campaigning and lost, badly. So what mandate do they have for continuing the election campaign?

There is no mandate for their anti asset sales proposals.

I will not rest because this is our last chance to save our assets.

Goff mustn’t have put much hope in a post election petition and referendum, which looks little more than and attempt to get legitimancy for a failed campaign.

Elections are binding, referenda aren’t, especially when the results probably won’t be known until after the first assets are part sold. The futility may make it difficult to get enough signatures.

Josie Pagani’s post election words don’t seem to have been heard.

“We were seen as looking backwards, not forwards. We didn’t sound aspirational, we sounded miserable. We were turning up on people’s doorsteps telling them their lives were gloomy. And anyone who has ever been poor knows the last thing you want is someone telling you your life is crap.”

Labour, the Greens, Grey Power andsome unions seem to want to extend the campaign of woe.

by Pete George on March 11, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on March 11, 2012

http://yournz.org/2012/03/11/no-mandate-for-asset-sales-proposals/

The state of the leaders

John Key: Still leader and still popular

Phil Goff: gets credit for his campaign and preventing a rout but still a bad result. He hasn’t been able to lead Labour and some in the party have let him down as a result. Should offer his resignation as leader but should see out the term to help Labour at least try and rebuild after a disastrous first term in office.

Metirea Turei: has raised her game and helped raise her party. Her real challenge will be to demonstrate if she can mature from idealism to realism with aims and policies.

Russell Norman: has raised his game and helped raise his party. His real challenge will be to find a way of getting Greens into government. This isn’t going to happen in the next term. Needs to keep building Green credibility but if he keeps showing up Labour too much he won’t have a major party to go into coalition with.

Winston Peters: pulled off yet another political miracle with help from the media and luck. He’s a born campaigner but will find it difficult to lead an inexperienced team and maintain enough energy and relevance to last out three years with support intact. His success will really depend on some of his fellow MPs really stepping up, and quickly.

Pita Sharples: hanging in there with mana intact but needs to find a way of making the transition to new leadership.

Tariana Turia: still there but needs to make this term worthwhile as she tries to help the Maori Party on a new path.

Don Brash: his last Act? Has already resigned and destined to political history as expected after Act disaster.

Peter Dunne: did well to hold Ohariu but will find this tougher next time especially if Labour find a strong candidate. His challenge is how to reinvent United Future as a credible alternative party.

Hone Harawira: his challenge will be to find a way of being erelevant and effective as a sole MP party and keep interest and support in the Mana Party.

by Pete George on November 27, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on November 27, 2011

http://yournz.org/2011/11/27/leaders-after-the-election/

Labour’s Super desperation

National Super costs ands eligibility age are important issues that need widespread debate and cross party agreement. Throwing an attention seeking bid into the middle of a campaign in an attempt to rescue an election is politics at it’s worst.

This is far too important an issue to bundle it in with a bunch of election lollipops.

And it’s the wrong approach – just putting up the age of elegibility to 67 severely disadvantages groups people (eg Maori men, diabetics) with life expectancies in the sixties, this squeezes them out of prospects for a reasonable (or any) retirement period.

United Future Flexisuper addresses this by offering choice – start on National anywhere between 60 and 70.

At the very least we should have a decent debate on this. Slipping it in to a bundle of election carrots is not the way to do that.

by Pete George on October 28, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on October 28, 2011

http://yournz.org/2011/10/28/labours-super-desperation/

Key, Goff, Banks to people: Butt Out!

When Don Brash bumbled into the cannabis debate he inadvertently highlighted a unified disdain of public opinion from other politicians.

John Key – “I’m not interested in liberalising drug laws in New Zealand. It’s important to understand what police do. They don’t lock everybody up who smokes a joint in New Zealand; they go after people that traffic drugs.”

Laws that are chosen to be ignored by the police – if and when they choose – don’t sound like sensible laws to me. I think law needs to be clear about what society sees as acceptable – and legal.

John Key is very popular and I think in many ways he has been a breath of fresh air in New Zealand politics, but he has a tendency to make personal decisioins on some issues and simply dismisses any alternative or any need to debate. I don’t think that’s good politics.

Phil Goff – opposes changing the law and drug policy would not be left to a conscience vote in the Labour caucus.

Like he can control his caucus? Whatever, that stance stinks, important social issues should be discussed and decided on by individual MPs who should consult with constituents.

John Banks – “I’ve always been opposed to drugs and I always will be opposed to drugs.’

No chance of his constituents getting an opinion in there.

John Banks has dramatically shot down his leader Don Brash’s views on decriminalising cannabis, saying it will never become party policy.

Nor his party.

Is this strong political leadedship? Or just politicians making up their own minds and ignoring the people, in effect telling them to butt out of the cannabis debate?

There was one politician who was willing to see debate. I asked him myself about it:

Peter Dunne – I have no problem at all with what you propose. If you can such a debate underway, well and good.

That’s why I’m happy to be in the UnitedFuture party. Willing to listen.

by Pete George on September 28, 2011  •  Permalink
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Posted by Pete George on September 28, 2011

http://yournz.org/2011/09/28/key-goff-banks-to-people-butt-out/

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