2023 New Zealand general election (14 October)

[CumbrianLefty]

Given that its generally a good poll for National, that Luxon rating is pretty pathetic.

[CumbrianLefty]

A lot of it was the longer term fallout from the Covid pandemic AFAICS - as seen in other countries too after the initial "rally round the flag" pro-government boosts.

[CumbrianLefty]

more than pretty surprising, hysterically hypocritical.

But still quite interesting, given who it is!

[CumbrianLefty]

Though it won't quite be as bad as 27% for Labour come election day, surely?

[CumbrianLefty]

What's behind the recent slump in Labour fortunes?

[CumbrianLefty]

What's behind the recent slump in Labour fortunes?

Multiple ministerial resignations due to scandal as the government was re-setting with a new PM can't have helped.

National have also come out with a very middle of the road tax plan, which has lent credibility to their moderate image.
Meanwhile Labour’s policy announcements (free dental, ram-raiding) have seemed to generate a lot of cynicism, given they’ve had a majority for 3 years and didn’t do anything about them.

National's approach does seem to contrast a bit with the Australian right currently, yes.

[CumbrianLefty]

The point is surely that support for an incumbent party *tends* to increase in the run-up to a GE, not plummeting as is the case here?

[CumbrianLefty]

Some interesting results have been mentioned on the TV coverage, including that Labour currently trails in Mt. Albert (Ardern's old seat)

Well not entirely unexpected given how unpopular Ardent was.

Given that she is no longer the candidate there, eh??

This maybe says more about your personal animus against her than anything else.

[CumbrianLefty]

Most lighthearted moment of the night (particularly from a left POV) - Hipkins namedropped a hitherto unknown partner called "Tony" in his concession speech. Once the camera cutback to the studio, the presenters were scrambling to find out who this "Tony" is, what gender this person is etc.

Have they found anything yet?

[CumbrianLefty]

I hope Chris Hipkins + former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern get deported - effective immediatedly.

Wibble.

[CumbrianLefty]

I hope Chris Hipkins + former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern get deported - effective immediatedly.

What for?

Something something "China shills" something something, I suspect.

[CumbrianLefty]

ACT has promised that this government will “treat landlords with dignity”

Because that is what really matters right now

[CumbrianLefty]

https://twitter.com/oceaniaelects/status/1728339016641315041
The total number of MPs is now brought up to 123: NACT 60 + Lab/Green/TPM 55 + NZF 8.

I note this went uncontested by most of the "main" parties apart the incumbent.

Is this normal in such circumstances?