Labouring In The Community

Under Threat Again 

Long Bay - Okura Great Park Under Threat Again

A few weeks ago our local Labour Party met to discuss issues arising from the recent General Election. It was agreed that in order for Labour to be more relevant, it has to become more involved in serving communities. As a Party we cannot expect to put our hands out every three years and ask people to donate and vote without putting in the hard work along the way. 

With that in mind, my beautiful wife and I attended a public meeting at the Sir Peter Blake Marine and Recreation Centre (MERC), to hear how we can help save the Long Bay - Okura Great Park.

My beautiful Wife and I at the Public meeting to Save Our Coast

We saw this as a perfect opportunity to give our support to a local issue as both representatives of a Labour Party that serves its community and as locals born and bred in Torbay.

The meeting was convened by the Long Bay - Okura Great Park (LBOGP) Society. The LBOGP Society was formed in 1996 to lobby local, regional and central government for the creation of a 1000 acre Great Park at Long Bay - Okura. Over 1.3 million visitors a year visit the park.     

Unfortunately, once again, the park is under threat from development. With the formation of the Auckland Super City urban development needed to be standardised across the city. As a result, protections that were previously fought for, now have to be contested again.

If developers have their way they will change this...

   

To more of this...

At the meeting Chris Bettany and Teresa Moore explained that developers want to build 750 houses in a high density development similar to the one above. They highlighted the negative effects this would have to the marine reserve, native birds, and water ways.

However, protecting New Zealand's beautiful coastline doesn't come cheap. Lawyers, expert witnesses to support their case and hours and hours of litigation mean the LBOGP Society need to raise $10,000 per month.  

You can help - Donate now 

All members of the LBOGP society work voluntarily. They work tirelessly so we can enjoy an unspoiled coastline with our children and families.   
     

With Chris Bettany of LBOGP Society

This is an opportunity for Labour to get involved at community level. The East Coast Bays electorate needs a stronger Labour presence if we are to make any ground in 2017. We have subsequently become members of the LBOGP society. How will you help? To join up, click here.

#Saveourcoast

#Labourinthecommunity

The Problem with Grant Robertson

What I Discovered about Grant

I thought I had the Labour Leadership candidates all figured out. Each of them sent through emails outlining why they should be the next leader: their experience; what they see as the issues facing Labour; and how they might set about addressing those issues. Although I hadn't met any of the candidates, based of the information they sent through, I thought I had come to a decision on who I would vote for. 

Grant Robertson in East Coast Bays

Then I met Grant Robertson. The problem with Grant, is that he is very personable and has good ideas. Another problem is that he articulates his ideas clearly, in a confident manner. His plan to rebuild Labour is concise and seems achievable. He plans to: 

• Listen to New Zealanders
• Stand up for Labour's core values
• Address the new generation of challenges - reducing inequalities, climate change and the effect of new technologies on work
• Support workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses
• Focus on education, health and housing

The main problem with Grant Robertson is that he plans to reconnect the Labour Party with communities again. Both Grant and Jacinda Adern have experienced success establishing informal community forums in order to connect with people. Grant intends to use a similar model to put Labour back into the heart of communities now, not in three years' time.

The problem with Grant Robertson is that he makes a great deal of sense.

#informeddecision  

   

Q and A with Jacinda Adern

Jacinda Adern

The role of Labour Leader is a high stakes position. Labour requires someone who can rebuild the Party's support base and reconnect with the voting public. Grant Robertson is the only Labour Leadership Candidate who has openly nominated the person he would like as his Deputy Leader. As a result, I asked Jacinda Adern the following questions.  

Which NZ PM living or dead would you have lunch with and why?

Norman Kirk. Have you seen his interview with Frost? He was such a powerful leader and left a massive legacy in such a short period of time. I have always been fascinated by him.

What is you favourite book of all time?

Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. I have always had a strange obsession with Antarctic exploration.

What are you reading at the moment? 

It always takes me a long time to get through books outside of the summer months, so I have been making my way slowly through An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor by Michael Smith.

What motivated you to enter into politics? 

A genuine belief that if you wanted to change things for the better, politics was the best place to make that happen. I joined at 17 and I still believe you can do a huge amount of good by participating in politics.

If you were PM what is the first thing you would do? 

Set targets to reduce child poverty – and then do it.

What are the 3 key attributes politician needs to be a successful Labour Party leader? 

A love of people, of Labour, and of working long hours.

What do you think have been the most significant changes to NZ politics over the past ten years? 

I believe in legacy politics. Doing good for the long term. I think that has become harder in the fast paced environment we are now in. Decisions are made much more quickly, news cycles are faster, feedback loops are instant via social media – we have to figure out a way to make the big long term decisions (which may not have the short term gains) in spite of this new environment.

To find out more about Jacinda, visit her website

#informeddecision

What the Leaders Say - Part Five

Reading Between the Lines - part 5

Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little and David Parker

In recent weeks the Labour Party Leadership Candidates have sent emails to all party members, asking for their support in the leadership race. David Parker, Andrew Little, Nanaia Mahuta and Grant Robertson outlined their views on issues facing Labour and how they would address these issues if they were elected leader.

In order to make an informed decision I have looked at the information included in their emails and grouped it into five headings:

• Why are they standing for leader
• What does the Labour Party mean to them
• What experience do they have
• What are the issues facing the Labour Party 
• How would they address the issues facing the Labour Party

This is the last post in a series of five blogs presenting the information.

Here is what they had to say on how they will address the issues facing the Labour Party.

How will you address the issues facing the Labour Party?

David Parker

We must unite caucus and the party around our common goal of fair economic outcomes for everyone. We must start fresh conversations that focus on the priorities of working New Zealanders.

We must focus on answering the tough questions in a way that unites the country toward a better future. We must live up to our responsibilities so New Zealanders feel proud to vote Labour. Right now big structural problems face NZ. Our economy isn’t fair. The problems we face nationally are not going to go away. That why it’s vital we have a strong opposition over the next three years and a united Labour Party. I can stand up to John Key and I have a plan to lead Labour to win in 2017. 

Grant Robertson

To rebuild our movement we must first listen. Not just to ourselves, but also those beyond our party. I am proposing a Labour in the Community programme. An on-going engagement between our party and the people we serve. This will have succeeded when New Zealanders see us as a relevant, liked and valued part of their community, not just when we ask for their vote at election time.

Now, more than ever, we must be a party that faces the future. We cannot rely on past glories or wallow in old conflicts. We must have the confidence to lead the world in facing up to the emerging issues of our time. In reducing inequalities, addressing climate change and applying new technologies there are great challenges and huge opportunities. 

Above all, we must be on the side of our people. We need to talk less about ourselves and focus clearly on the concerns of our communities. We need to be the party for education, for health and for housing. We need to build a coalition of workers, entrepreneurs and small business people - those who work, think make and create.

Andrew Little

It's a big task but it's one we need to address one step at a time. 

First, we need a caucus that communicates effectively within itself and with focus. Getting to that point will be the first job for the new Leader. Then the Leader and caucus need to reach out to the party and ensure they work well within themselves. 

Then we need to work alongside our affiliates. We must find a common cause, within the movement, and with the many, many New Zealanders who want something better for themselves and for their families. If we don't find common cause as a movement we will never earn the trust of New Zealanders. We need to regain New Zealanders' trust. We need them to know that when we make a promise, we can deliver. We need them to know we stand for them and their ambitions. Not just against what's wrong but for what is right.As part of that we must acknowledge the trust Māori put in Labour in delivering us six of the the seven Māori seats. They are our voters and we must make good on their return to us. We must ensure that Māori are represented well within Labour and that advancing their aspirations is a cornerstone of our Party. That's what being representative is about.

Nanaia Mahuta

I am seeking your support to lead the type of change that we as Labour members and New Zealanders can be proud of. As your Leader I will:

Institute change where it is required;

Build a cohesive, unified Labour Party grounded in and led by our vision for all New Zealanders to achieve their potential; Review our policy platform so that we are all of one mind, one voice on the key issues that matter; Articulate who we are and what we stand for in the MMP environment; Lead with integrity, commitment, authenticity and fairness; and require a disciplined caucus with its sights firmly set on becoming Government.

My goal is for Labour to be Government. To achieve this we must be an aligned team that is clear about its purpose to be a strong Opposition. We have to demonstrate that we are a credible stable alternative Government. We must earn the confidence of voters. We have work to do and it starts with us.

To do this we must:

Redefine the Party in order to return to core values that our public relates to and is proud to champion; and Unify our Party; our success depends upon our ability to work as a united team.

I would expect that every caucus member would see themselves as accountable to the Party to achieve our objective to become Government. That means a disciplined approach to connecting with people in their communities, getting alongside and leading campaigns for change, building organizational capacity to strengthen our ability to campaign, and be absolutely congruent to the values of the Labour Party. As your Leader I would require greater transparency to the Party for that activity and expect to deliver the same in return. We will be returning to a back to basics approach building from the grass roots up.

Reading between the lines

Uniting the party, uniting the caucus, and listening to the community are the main issues identified by the candidates. Where they differ is how they are going to address these issues. Grant Robertson has the most concrete plan of how to reconnect with the voting public, through his 'Labour in the Community' programme. I like this idea, I think it has the potential to make Labour relevant again with the people it has lost touch with. It also provides a platform from which to build our profile. Grant pinpoints the very people whose trust we need to regain.

Andrew talks of getting along side our affiliates and acknowledging the contribution of the Maori vote. Whilst this might be important, I can't help but thinking Grant Robertson's suggestion that we "build a coalition of workers, entrepreneurs and small business people - those who work, think make and create" is where we need to focus our energies for 2017.

For whatever reason, National has convinced middle New Zealand they are the party of the people. Labour needs to win back these voters. Getting into our communities and putting our money where our mouths are, is one way we can show the public Labour is their party once again.  

#informeddecision

What the Leaders Say - Part Four

Reading Between the Lines - part 4

Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little and David Parker

In recent weeks the Labour Party Leadership Candidates have sent emails to all party members, asking for their support in the leadership race. David Parker, Andrew Little, Nanaia Mahuta and Grant Robertson outlined their views on issues facing Labour and how they would address these issues if they were elected leader.

In order to make an informed decision I have looked at the information included in their emails and grouped it into five headings:

• Why are they standing for leader
• What does the Labour Party mean to them
• What experience do they have
• What are the issues facing the Labour Party 
• How would they address the issues facing the Labour Party

This is the fourth post in a series of blogs presenting the information.

Here is what they had to say on the issues facing the Labour Party.

What are the issues facing the Labour Party?

Grant Robertson

Like many of you, I heard the message on the doorstep that some New Zealanders had lost their connection to us. Building on our values we have to re-assert our purpose, and be consistent, bold and clear in standing up for all New Zealanders.

David Parker

We must look outwards not inwards.

Andrew Little

We are a party of immensely talented people. But right now we're working as individuals, not as a collective movement. We must fix this. We can.

We have to get our house in order. Because if we don't then all we have is a bunch of good intentions gone to waste.We need to fix the machine. We need to bring the pieces of the Labour movement back together and focus them on winning government and making changes we need to to build a fair society.

Nanaia Mahuta

Since 2005 our Party vote has steadily declined. We are not inspiring the confidence of voters and the serious perception is that we must do more to connect with New Zealanders and the issues that are important to them.

Reading between the lines

I find it reassuring that the Leadership Candidates clearly identify the key issues facing the Labour Party. Many of the reasons New Zealand is such an amazing country to live in, is due to policies implemented by Labour Governments. Our country still needs us. There is still work to be done. Before we can work for New Zealand, we need to make sure we are working together. Each candidate makes valid points about the issues facing the Labour Party in 2014, yet more importantly, what are they are going to do to fix it?  

My next blog post will examine how the candidates will address the issues facing the Labour Party.

#informeddecision

What the Leaders Say - Part Three

Reading Between the Lines - part 3 

Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little and David Parker

In recent weeks the Labour Party Leadership Candidates have sent emails to all party members, asking for their support in the leadership race. David Parker, Andrew Little, Nanaia Mahuta and Grant Robertson outlined their views on issues facing Labour and how they would address these issues if they were elected leader.

In order to make an informed decision I have looked at the information included in their emails and grouped it into five headings:

• Why are they standing for leader
• What does the Labour Party mean to them
• What experience do they have
• What are the issues facing the Labour Party 
• How would they address the issues facing the Labour Party

This is the third post in a series of blogs presenting the information.

Here is what they had to say on what experience they have had and why they are qualified to lead the Labour Party.

What experience do they have?

Nanaia Mahuta

I entered Parliament as a List MP in 1996 and have spent most of my adult life in politics. I have held ministerial portfolios and served on a raft of Select committees. As an MP I have successfully won my electorate five times, including in the aftermath of the foreshore and seabed issue which caused huge electoral damage to Labour. This period required transparent and accountable leadership to my electorate and the Party in a way that preserved the integrity of the changes I affected using the process available to me.

Grant Robertson

To do all of this we need a new generation of leadership. After six years in Parliament I believe I have the experience to do this job, and the energy and fresh ideas to inspire. We have the talent in our team to take it to the government, and to re-build our movement. Together we can make a difference to the lives of New Zealanders

David Parker

My experience as a senior Minister and in law, accounting and business gives me the conviction, real life experience and steel in my backbone to do the job.

Andrew Little 

I can do this. I have done this before. When I became the leader of the EPMU, one of New Zealand's largest and most powerful unions, it was a house divided. I led the project to bring it together, to modernise it, to bring through new talent. I built a union which took our member's issues out to the public, to the media, and won the argument again and again. We covered a lot of ground and during that time I dealt with organisations from small business to New Zealand's biggest corporates on many different issues.The one unifying thing, across all of these issues, was fairness. We got fair outcomes for our members and for New Zealand workers across the board because we worked together.

Reading between the lines

What strikes me when I read through the candidates' experience is how strong the Party is and how that experience is not reflected in the election results. All of the candidates have the experience to lead the Labour Party, however we can only choose one.

On paper, Andrew Little presents the best argument of all the candidates. He combines the right mix of emotive language and practical details in an articulate manner.  

Grant Robertson says the right things and has an effective slogan to hang it on. However, on paper his message doesn't resonate in the same way.  In person, Grant delivers his message articulately, passionately and with an inspiration that is not necessarily captured on paper.    

I like what Nanaia has to say but her message doesn't have the same impact for me as either Andrew or Grant. 

Although David's argument is to the point, he doesn't inspire me to follow him as a leader.

My next blog post will examine what the candidates feel are the issues facing the Labour Party.

#informeddecision

What the Leaders Say - Part Two

Reading Between the Lines - part 2 

Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little and David Parker

In recent weeks the Labour Party Leadership Candidates have sent emails to all party members, asking for their support in the leadership race. David Parker, Andrew Little, Nanaia Mahuta and Grant Robertson outlined their views on issues facing Labour and how they would address these issues if they were elected leader.

In order to make an informed decision I have looked at the information included in their emails and grouped it into five headings:

• Why are they standing for leader
• What does the Labour Party mean to them
• What experience do they have
• What are the issues facing the Labour Party 
• How would they address the issues facing the Labour Party

This is the second post in a series of blogs presenting the information.

Here is what they had to say on what the Labour Party means to them.

What does the Labour Party mean to you?

Andrew Little

Labour is the party that was built by working Kiwis for working Kiwis. We are still that party.

Nanaia Mahuta

I have long believed that Labour is a Party of aspiration and opportunity. We all have a Labour story that connects us to our working class roots and the opportunities that have emerged from applying our values of a fair and decent society where all people can climb the ladder of opportunity, and where we support growth for more people in an equal society.

Grant Robertson

I'm proud of the core values of our party to give everyone a fair go, the opportunity to make the most of their potential and the obligation to look after each other.

David Parker

David Parker didn't specifically outline what Labour means to him.

Reading between the lines, I think it is telling the way in which the candidates describe what the Labour Party means to them. Andrew Little succinctly describes the Labour Party in a couple of lines that could easily be a sound bite or a slogan. For me, this characterises Andrew Little, he knows Labour, he believes in Labour and he articulates it clearly.

Nanaia Mahuta has plenty of heart and her rhetoric is firmly rooted in Labour's historical base which appeals to me. However, I feel, at times, her message gets lost in the delivery.

Grant Robertson is articulate and says the right things but has a tendency to sound too corporate and a bit light.

David Parker didn't specifically describe what Labour means to him in his email which summarises a key issue for me. He comes across as competent but dry.

Ideally, I want the Labour leader to embody all these characteristics and attributes. 

My next blog post will examine what experience the candidates have to lead the Labour Party.

#informeddecision

What the Leaders Say - Part One

Reading Between the Lines - part 1 

Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little and David Parker

In recent weeks the Labour Party Leadership Candidates have sent emails to all party members, asking for their support in the leadership race. David Parker, Andrew Little, Nanaia Mahuta and Grant Robertson outlined their views on issues facing Labour and how they would address these issues if they were elected leader.

In order to make an informed decision I have looked at the information included in their emails and grouped it into five headings:

• Why are they standing for leader
• What does the Labour Party mean to them
• What experience do they have
• What are the issues facing the Labour Party 
• How would they address the issues facing the Labour Party.

I will post a series of blogs presenting the information. 

Here is what they had to say on why they are standing for leader.

Why are they standing for Leader?

David Parker   

I am standing because I want to lead Labour forward to once again share the hopes and aspirations of working New Zealanders - to lead a party we can all be proud of and one New Zealanders will be proud to vote for.

Andrew Little 

People have asked me why I'm standing. I'm standing because I believe in Labour's values. I believe in fairness and justice for workers, for families, for all New Zealanders. 

People aren't getting a fair go right now and I won't tolerate a society in which the very few at the top gain at the expense of the many.

I won't tolerate a society in which good jobs are destroyed and replaced with insecure work in which people in the middle are squeezed tighter and tighter by the cost of living and have no way to get ahead. A society in which those at the bottom fall of the edge of the cliff.

These are the principles I have stood for throughout my life and they have been at the core of how I have led. They are the principles that the Labour Party embodies.

Nanaia Mahuta

I am ready to lead a Labour Party that cares about the state of our environment, wants economic opportunity to benefit more people, supports opportunity and innovation, and helps hardworking people to get ahead.

Grant Robertson

Grant didn't specifically outline reasons why he is standing for Labour Leader.

As you would expect from the future Labour leader, there is a strong focus on equity for workers and working New Zealanders. David Parker's statement is succinct but as a potential leader, lacks the heart I need to connect with him.

Andrew Little spends the most time of the four candidates giving his reason for standing as leader. He combines passion with a personal touch that comes across as genuine and heartfelt. He has strong beliefs which are non negotiable, he sounds like a leader. 

Nanaia Mahuta focuses on people, the economy and the environment but she doesn't connect with me in the same way as Andrew Little does. 

Although Grant Robertson didn't explicitly state why he was standing for the role of leader, we will hear from him in future blogs.

My next blog post will examine what Labour means to them.

#informeddecision

Q and A with the Labour Leadership Candidates

Nania Mahuta

The role of Labour Leader is a high stakes position. Labour requires someone who can rebuild the Party's support base and reconnect with the voting public. In order to learn more about each of the leadership candidates: Andrew Little, Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, and David Parker, I asked each of them the following questions.

Which New Zealand Prime Minister living or dead would you have lunch with and why?

Norm Kirk I grew up hearing stories about him and you felt that he could have been your uncle – someone with a common touch and I guess it would be more like a beer and possibly a pie that he would want for lunch. A simple gesture captured in the well known photo with child in hand showed that he was prepared to look beyond cultural stereotypes to forge a vision of hope and opportunity.

What is you favourite book of all time?

The Mitford Sisters, so far a very interesting family. It just goes to show that even though you might be raised in the same household, political opinion is not confined. I like the fact that by and large these women were not defined by their gender.

What are you reading at the moment?

Reading for purpose at the moment papers relating to children's health and wellbeing and the Maori economy.

What motivated you to enter into politics?

The change of the political system coincided with political activity occurring in my tribe and the Waikato Raupatu Treaty Settlement. When I stood for selection I was the only woman with four other male contenders. The rest is history as I have served in Parliament since 1996, and from 1999 I have been an electorate MP. My main motivation has been continuing to advocate for the opportunity arising from the Treaty Settlement process, education and skills training opportunities for our young people and the wellbeing of women and children.

If you were Prime Minister what is the first thing you would do?

Implement the Living Wage, abolish secondary tax, raise company tax and implement research and development tax credits.

What are the three key attributes politician needs to be a successful Labour Party leader?

To Listen, To engage in meaningful ways with people in their communities, To identify the problem needing to be solved, To request accurate information and to make a decision.

What do you think have been the most significant changes to New Zealand politics over the past ten years?

Declining rate of participation in our democratic system and the erosion of public confidence in the political process due to lack of transparency or ‘public voice’ in decision-making (for example TTPPA and RMA).

Many thanks to Nanaia for her time and responses. 

You can find out more about Nanaia by visiting

http://campaign.labour.org.nz/nanaia_mahuta_leadership

Q and A with Labour Leadership Candidate Andrew Little

Andrew Little 

The role of Labour Leader is a high stakes position. Labour requires someone who can rebuild the Party's support base and reconnect with the voting public. In order to learn more about each of the leadership candidates: Andrew Little, Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, and David Parker, I asked each of them the following questions.  

Andrew Little

Which New Zealand Prime Minister, living or dead, would you have have lunch with and why? 

Peter Fraser. His politics were forged in the workplace and social conflicts of the first couple of decades of the 20^th century, he went on the become one of our greatest prime ministers, including holding the role during the second world war.

What is you favourite book of all time? 

Impossible question to answer really, but I always enjoyed Roald Dahl’s “Danny, champion of the world” because of its depiction of street smarts overcoming privilege. Otherwise, it’s anything that depicts lawyers as heroes.

What book are you reading at the moment? 

I dip into Thomas Pikkety’s “Capital in the 21^st Century” still and I’ve just finished Bill Sutch’s “Poverty and progress”.

What motivated you to enter into politics? 

I wanted to have a say on the rules that affect people’s lives and make sure the rules and policies that govern us don’t leave people out or behind.

If you were Prime Minister, what is the first thing you would do? 

Abolish secondary tax.

What are the three key attributes needed to be a successful Labour Party leader? 

Be a listener; take time to take people with you when that is needed; other times, be decisive and accept the consequences.

What do you think have been the most significant changes to New Zealand politics over the past ten years? 

People’s changing expectations of the role of the state, including for many a loss of faith in what the state will do.

Many thanks to Andrew for his time and responses. 

You can find out more about Andrew by visiting

http://andrew-little.org.nz/ 

Labour Pains

The Rebirth of Labour

    

It seems a lifetime ago that we were standing on the side of the road waving signs, handing out pamphlets, and knocking on doors trying to gain the support of the electorate for a Labour lead government. For a number of reasons the electorate did not support the Labour Party. National was re-elected with increased support. 

In the wake of such a poor result on election night there was always going to be some fall out. However, after initially indicating he would continue, David Cunliffe resigned as Labour leader and then bowed out of the leadership race altogether. 

As a new Labour member, I was unaware of the various factions within the party. I liked David Cunliffe. I saw him in action during the campaign, he had presence, was articulate and connected with the people around him. However, as many people did not share my view it became evident Labour needed a new leader. 

When nominations closed on Tuesday 14th October, there were four candidates: Andrew Little, Nanaia Mahuta, David Parker and Grant Robertson. After a grueling general election these four must now go back on the road to seek support from Labour Party members.  They face a mammoth task to, not only, lead the Labour Party, but to rebuild its reputation and support base. At this early stage of the leadership campaign it is a close race with no one candidate having a clear lead or advantage.

Grant Robertson, Nanaia Mahuta, Andrew Little, David Parker

Arguably, whoever wins takes on an unenviable job. Labour's support base is at its lowest. The National Party led by John Key can seem to do nothing wrong in the eyes of the public. Although three years may seem a long time, it is not long to rebuild Labour into the viable alternative to the current government. It seems that people think the Labour Party does not represent them. They are tradesmen, small business owners, and middle New Zealanders who perceive they do not have a connection with Labour as the party of the people. 

Over the next month we will hear how each of the leadership candidates propose to rebuild connections with the community and within the Party. Once the leadership race is decided, my hope is that we can get in behind the new leader, put our efforts where they are needed, and fight to make New Zealand a fair society. 

It may be a painful process but it is one we must go through in order that we are growing and strong in 2017.

  #Stay Positive

Moving On...from 2014 to 2017 Labour Campaign

Where to from here?

Election night 2014 was going to be close.  Labour, Greens and New Zealand First might have got enough votes to form a centre left coalition. However, as the results started coming in on Saturday night it became increasingly obvious, it was not to be.  Labour and other parties on the left were abandoned by a voting public in favor of the National Party, who won a decisive victory. 

Our family with Greg Milner-White, Election night 2014

As a result, there will be a certain amount of reflection for everyone involved with the Labour Party. Greg Milner-White, candidate for East Coast Bays summarises this position succinctly:

We will need to take stock from the results, and have a hard look at our policies and the party to ensure that we in are a position in three years time to win back the government benches. We have some great people and ideas, and with renewed energy thinking, we can get there once again and become a winning force. It will be a challenging time and I hope that you will remain actively engaged with the party as we rebuild for the future.    

David Cunliffe on the campaign trail 

Greg is right.  We are facing a challenging time. In the wake of the election, political commentators are talking up the possibility of blood letting and leadership battles. Instead, we need to look at the positives of the campaign and build on those without looking for scapegoats to sacrifice.

The best contribution those who care about the Labour Party can make is to get actively involved. One lesson I have learnt from this campaign is that winning an election is not glamorous, it is hard work. Labour's 2017 campaign needs more people on the ground willing to get stuck in and get their hands dirty. That is what will put Labour back into government. Already on Saturday night, at the North Shore Labour Party headquarters discussions were underway about fundraising for the next campaign. Even our children were planning how they could help out.  

We need to support the party. Talking and whinging about what is wrong with Labour is not going to help. We need to join up, step up, and build up the Labour Party so we can win the next election. We need to start now. David Cunliffe said on Saturday night, "Tomorrow we begin the rebuild for 2017." My wife and I have contacted the Chairperson of the East Coast Bays Labour Electorate Committee indicating our willingness to be involved. 

We need more people to work with us.

What will you do?   

Some of our highlights from the campaign

#Staypositive