There is a credibility gap here with Labour's U-turn over taxation. It will be an uphill slog for Hipkins to win back the myriad of voters who walked away from the party between 2020-2023. Typically leaders who lose an election, walk away asap (eg English, Clark) or jump ship when the writing is on the wall (Key, Adhern). There is a sound reason for this. To hang around aiming to win back disillusioned supporters who went elsewhere because Labour was so timid in instigating policies that actually redistribute wealth (and then claim these are back on the table) will be a hard sell.
Great points Mark! Remember though that Clark didn't walk away after 1996, but hung on and did her own U-turn to live down the Lange years and to work with Anderton. Also, Holyoake was a mid-term PM who lost in 1957 and then won in 1960. It's been done before. Further, Hipkins has given himself a year or two to complete the U-turn – whatever it turns out to be. I agree with you that it will be an uphill slog for him, but it looks to me like his caucus wants to keep him on. In a year's time, we may be looking at a different Labour leader – or not. I can't predict. Cheers, Grant
Surprising that Hipkins didn't mention education. After all he was Minister and his mother Rose has been a driving force within the ministry for a decade. Meanwhile standards have declined. Surely future prosperity happiness and equity are dependent on educational attainment.
I totally agree, Mike. I like to keep myself out of it, but it's not escaped my attention that my academic career was ruined under Labour's watch, with Hipkins as minister. GD
Is it possible for Labour to disengage from the neoliberal ideology they have so strongly adhered to for so long? I would need to see clear evidence, not just accept the spin.
Hi John. Possibly not. But can you be more specific about what 'neoliberal ideology' means to you? GD
There is a credibility gap here with Labour's U-turn over taxation. It will be an uphill slog for Hipkins to win back the myriad of voters who walked away from the party between 2020-2023. Typically leaders who lose an election, walk away asap (eg English, Clark) or jump ship when the writing is on the wall (Key, Adhern). There is a sound reason for this. To hang around aiming to win back disillusioned supporters who went elsewhere because Labour was so timid in instigating policies that actually redistribute wealth (and then claim these are back on the table) will be a hard sell.
Great points Mark! Remember though that Clark didn't walk away after 1996, but hung on and did her own U-turn to live down the Lange years and to work with Anderton. Also, Holyoake was a mid-term PM who lost in 1957 and then won in 1960. It's been done before. Further, Hipkins has given himself a year or two to complete the U-turn – whatever it turns out to be. I agree with you that it will be an uphill slog for him, but it looks to me like his caucus wants to keep him on. In a year's time, we may be looking at a different Labour leader – or not. I can't predict. Cheers, Grant
Surprising that Hipkins didn't mention education. After all he was Minister and his mother Rose has been a driving force within the ministry for a decade. Meanwhile standards have declined. Surely future prosperity happiness and equity are dependent on educational attainment.
I totally agree, Mike. I like to keep myself out of it, but it's not escaped my attention that my academic career was ruined under Labour's watch, with Hipkins as minister. GD
Is it possible for Labour to disengage from the neoliberal ideology they have so strongly adhered to for so long? I would need to see clear evidence, not just accept the spin.