Discussion
"I don't have a problem with raising taxes, as long as I'm getting bang for my buck."
#CameronBagrie, economist, 2026
This is a very Scandinavian sentiment, and I get the impression this is how even many very comfortable people in Aotearoa are feeling now. Greens, TPM, and especially TOP, have all proved raising taxes isn't a vote loser, when paired with smart plans about how to use the resulting revenue.
(1/?)
If only Labour had read the fucking room before they finally decided to fill their policy vacuum ... with pretty much the same plans the Nats have;
https://thekaka.substack.com/p/mondays-early-bird-labour-chooses
#HatTip to TBD for this dispiriting but not surprising news, and for the link;
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/labour-promise-economic-incrementalism-to-win-spooked-center/
(2/?)
I really wish the electorate would respond to this by throwing Labour out of Parliament as the waste of space they are, and switching their votes accordingly. But sadly, only a handful of us follow electoral politics closely enough to vote on policy, most people vote on vibes.
So most likely Labour will crash land a victory over the Nats, because the incumbents are too obviously dysfunctional now to keep their majority.
(3/?)
For the Greens and TPM to sign up to this warmed-over Starmerism would be an obvious betrayal of their base. Just as much as would replacing ACT and Winston First as the parties propping up CLuxon's Nats. Or even leaving them in government, by refusing to sign up to Labour's betrayal. Damned if they do, dammed if they don't.
Hopefully furious backchannels discussions are going on between Greens, TPM, and TOP, to agree on what it will cost Labour if they want to lead the next government.
(4/4)
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