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

The Labour Behind The Party

Behind the Scenes of a Campaign

For many people, electoral campaigns consist of smiling candidates on roadside hoardings and, maybe, a meeting in a dusty hall.  However, for every candidate running for office there is a dedicated team of unsung heroes working hard behind the scenes to get them elected. Over the last few weeks, I have been helping the campaign team behind Greg Milner-White, Labour Party Candidate for East Coast Bays. Observing first hand the work that goes into an election campaign has been a privilege.  I have also been fortunate to meet a group of people who are passionate, hard working, loyal and committed to the Labour cause.

Vic, Shane and Greg, out on the streets

  
Over the course of the campaign, hundreds of hours are spent:

Learning from Derek

• delivering pamphlets
• knocking on doors
• phone canvassing
• running stalls at the local markets
• organising street corner meetings
• sign waving
• attending candidate meetings
• organising electoral rolls
• on the streets talking with potential voters
• putting up hoardings
• fixing hoardings, and
• taking down hoardings

All of these jobs are done voluntarily, by people who have full time jobs, and families.  

Why do they do it?

The answer, they care about New Zealand and believe the values and principles of the Labour Party will make it a better place.  For some, involvement with Labour and campaigning goes back 30 years. For others, campaigning is a new experience.  

Developing a thick skin on the campaign trail

One member of the team I spoke to is a retired teacher whose granddaughter is about to start school.  For her, Labour's education policy was the incentive to get involved with campaigning for the first time. 

My beautiful wife and I wanted to get involved to help Labour win the election and make New Zealand a positive place for our children to live.

My wife got more toots, why was that?

     

Regardless of how many election campaigns you have been on, it is essential to develop a thick skin.  When you don a red rosette and take up pamphlets you become fair game for all manner of comment from the voting public.  The key is to smile and not take it personally.  For every negative comment, there is someone who wants to share a personal story or anecdote with you.  Every thumbs up, toot or smile keeps you going. 

Some of the ECB Labour Team

Finally, I have learnt there is one thing that a campaign team needs, a good quality candidate to get behind.  Fortunately, the East Coast Bays team has got an excellent candidate in Greg Milner-White.  Greg leads the team from the front, getting out on the streets, on the phones and knocking on doors. His calm, confident manner is reassuring when the going gets tough. He is the glue that binds the team.  

The Labour Party relies on volunteers to carry on the good work.

Will you consider volunteering to be the labour behind the Party in your electorate?

      

        

Up Close & Personal With David Cunliffe

Mall Day with the Labour Leader

Malls, it seems, have replaced school halls as the place for candidates to engage with voters in the week leading up to the election. On Saturday, Westfield Albany was the place to meet David Cunliffe and Labour Party candidates Claire Szabo, Greg Milner-White, and Kelvin Davis.

A chance for a photo with David Cunliffe and a chance to photo bomb for Greg

David proved there was more than one selfie-king in this election as he moved about the mall, meeting, greeting and shaking hands. Any criticism he is not personable was certainly dispelled. Hundreds of people flocked to meet the man many hope will be the next Prime Minister come election day.      

 

    

David Cunliffe and Claire Szabo in the Albany Mall food court.

Throughout his visit, David was confident and easy going.  He effortlessly engaged with everybody he came in contact with.  People from all walks of life seemed genuinely thrilled to meet with him, chat with him and, of course pose with him.

Greg Milner-White and two supporters

Selfie time with Kelvin Davis

Fortunately, David wasn't the only one willing to pose for photos and take time to chat.  Greg Milner-White, candidate for East Coast Bays; and Kelvin Davis candidate for Te Tai Tokerau both took time out from campaigning to be at the Albany mall maul.  

However, to say everybody was pleased to meet David, is not quite true. Tucked away at the far end of the mall was a small group of people wearing blue.  Not to be perturbed, David strode up to them, warmly greeting National MP Paula Bennett, much to her dismay. It was in the midst of this potentially confrontational situation, that David Cunliffe, the leader, shone through.  He was polite yet assertive, embodying the 'vote positive' message he has upheld throughout this election campaign.  Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Paula Bennett and her team, who were not as gracious.  

David Cunliffe holding the attention of National party supporters

For many, the opportunity to meet David Cunliffe was a chance to see not only the leader of the Labour Party, but to see David Cunliffe, the person.  He won many friends but will it be enough to change the government for a better New Zealand on election day.

#votepositive #forabetterNZ

Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

Joining the Campaign Trail

A few weeks ago I was reading Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics feeling more and more outraged at what I was reading. I kept muttering indignantly over the course of the evening, I want to get involved and do something about this.  In the end my gorgeous wife finally exclaimed, "Well put your money where your mouth then!"  The challenge was out: but did I have what it takes to get out on the street and help change the government, or would I lie on the couch and whinge about it?  The second option seemed more comfortable, however...        

Greg Milner-White, Labour Candidate for ECB

I contacted Greg Milner-White, Labour candidate in the East Coast Bays electorate. When we spoke on the phone he suggested I might like to come door knocking with him the following day.  I must admit this was the very thing I had been dreading the most.  The thought of cold calling strangers in their homes, who might be antagonistic and aggressive, frankly, scared me. Naturally, I agreed.  

When we met the following afternoon Greg instantly put me at ease.  He ran through the script I was to use when talking with people; explained what areas we would target that afternoon and, most importantly, gave me a clipboard to carry and my very own rosette.  At least I looked the part.  

Armed with the aforementioned clipboard and rosette, we set off. Greg took the lead for the first set of houses to show me how it was done. We met people from all walks of life, some of whom were interested in the Labour Party message and some, who were clearly not. Greg listened respectfully to what they wanted to say and in return spoke assertively but humbly.  I admired his knowledgeable, measured responses. I watched and learnt, then it was my turn.  

My fears of being run out of town by pitch fork wielding National Party members never eventuated.  In fact, I was surprised how friendly people were, despite their political leanings.  One man explained I was the first person from any party to visit him in 18 years.  I felt quite proud when he called me a Labour man. I had changed from couch dwelling whinger, to an active, on the campaign trail, Labour man. Over the course of the afternoon, I door knocked about 20 houses to a variety of responses. Some positive, some not. I felt privileged that people would take the time to talk with me.  From my experience of the day it seems that is what people want the most, to be listened to.    

My gorgeous Wife and I on the campaign trail.

My wife and I decided to get involved further.  On the following blustery Sunday morning we met with some of the other East Coast Bays Labour Party activists to hand out pamphlets and fliers.  These people are the volunteers that keep the party running.  They do the slog, some, for over 30 years!  Whilst it does take a certain amount of thick skin, for the most part people are friendly and many want to talk.  We met a lot of interesting people and learnt a lot about ourselves in the process. 

I learnt that if you believe in something strongly enough then you have to get off the couch, get out on the streets, and make it happen.  

Because if you don't, nobody else will.  

The ECB Labour Team in Browns Bay 

I'm glad I put my money where my mouth is, will you?

David Cunliffe, New Zealand's Next Prime Minister

Out of the Mouths of Babes

This Sunday, Father's Day, spring arrived.  Like many others, we enjoyed the sunshine at the beach with our four children.  There were no politics, dirty or otherwise to be found.  On such  a beautiful day, it was a timely reminder of what an incredible country we live in and how important that it is kept in good hands.

My beautiful wife and I decided to undertake an informal poll of our family to find out who they, if they had the choice, would choose to run the country. 

We have a blended family of two girls, aged 11, and two boys aged 9; we'll call them Helen, Judith, Geoffrey and Jim.  This is the first election in which they have taken any real interest in politics and they were unaware of our political leanings.  Individually, we asked them: who they would vote for Prime Minister and why?  I had anticipated overwhelming support for John Key considering his popularity, however, the results surprised me. 

Helen responded with David Cunliffe as she wanted a change of government and agreed with Labour's policies.  Likewise, Judith preferred David Cunliffe because he seems like a nice man and answered questions well during the political debate.  However, she also stated that she wouldn't vote for National because they were selling the power stations, meaning we wouldn't have any internet.  Unfortunately, we had to point out the error in her logic.         

Geoffrey voted for Labour, he liked David Cunliffe better than John Key. When pressed though, he admitted that he thought David Cunliffe bore a resemblance to Louis van Gaal, manager of his favourite football team, Manchester United. Yes, yes, I know.  Of our four children, only Jim said he would vote for John Key.  When asked why, in what we hoped was a neutral tone, he answered, John Key is 'epic'.     

Our children's reasons for choosing who they would vote for may seem ridiculous. However, is the general voting public's choice any more sound? People I have spoken with are, often, making their decisions based on misinformation; wrong information or simply no information at all. They may be choosing the next Prime Minister based on nothing more than their perception of that person's public persona.  

Are we anymore politically informed than children?

If we are making decisions that affect our country, we should be.   

Key versus Cunliffe: Leaders Debate

What are the policies?

There was plenty of spirit and volume, as David Cunliffe and John Key, two boys from Canterbury, battled it out to prove they are ready to be New Zealand's next Prime Minister.  

David Cunliffe was confident, self assured and knowledgeable.  He clearly explained Labour's policies, although floundered when questioned by Key directly about capital gains tax.

John Key told a nice story about his Mum; deftly avoided dirty politics; seemed concerned his Trusts might be taxed but was light on National's policies.

The second half of the debate was more raucous, at times getting away from the moderators.  Both Key and Cunliffe resorted to yelling over the top of each other.  The tweet below captures the difference between the two:     

David Cunliffe frustrated Key, who eventually retorted with the very witty, "Yea, what ever".  Judging from the audience's reaction, they favoured David Cunliffe, especially when it came to issues concerning Christchurch.

What I got from tonight's debate was a sense of optimism that David Cunliffe and Labour do have a plan for New Zealand's future.  David Cunliffe was able to succinctly articulate Labour's policies in a way I haven't heard until tonight. John Key, on the other hand, looked far less assured than he normally does, his policy seems to be that we have a solid economy but little else.  

Over the course of what seemed like a very long debate, David Cunliffe looked like, and sounded like, the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Let's hope come September 20, he is.

#votepositive #forabetterNZ

    

In with a Bang

A Trim Cappuccino and a Dirty Book

Not many men are lucky enough to have their wives deliver them coffee and a dirty book to work. Fortunately, I am. Last week my beautiful wife bought me a double shot trim cappuccino and, even better, a copy of Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics (2014).

As far as dirty books go, they don’t get much dirtier than this. Sex scandals; lies; rumour; underhand, double dealing, and a few prostitutes for good measure. Not since Fifty Shades has a dirty book grabbed the country’s curiosity and interest. Or has it?

My wife and I watched with bated breath, the unfolding drama of Judith Collins’ demise over the weekend. We eagerly anticipated each new update and speculated what would happen next. But, do most people care? For those who follow the intrigue, plots and subplots of New Zealand politics, Dirty Politics is either a “left wing smear campaign” or the uncovering of the right’s aggressive attack campaign over the last six years. However, many people don’t care or don’t know. Some politician they barely know sending emails about a civil servant they don’t care about to a blogger they have never heard of is of no interest.  

Compared to dropping kids to daycare and school; paying the mortgage with ever increasing rates; doing the shopping; and winter sports, the comings and goings of shady politicians do not rate highly. In fact, despite the revelations of Dirty Politics, people I have spoken to still see John Key as the good guy. He's the 'man of the people'. The Labour Party, on the other hand, is seen as the party of the dole bludgers and other low lifes. This, of course, is exactly the perception National seeks to perpetuate. Today's memorable placard which read “National’s enemy is an informed public”, summed up the attitude of many people. Arguably, many of the public are not informed about issues or policies. No matter what, John Key is their mate, and in turn, will vote for him.

Although the continuing saga of dirty politics continues to inflict, to use Cam Slater’s words, "A death by a thousand cuts” for National, there is still more work to be done to get Labour’s policies into New Zealand homes. That way, the election is about policies not politics.