Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray was arguably the most popular poem of the 18th century. An elegy is a burial hymn and such a one might be suitable for Labour on October 14. In fact, there are a couple of verses from the poem that might
Labour is going to lose this election in the opposite way to its last result. In three years, this bunch of misfits are on track to turn a stunning win into an equally stunning loss. If you want proof I suggest you read Mike Munro’s article in the Weekend
Last month Nicola Willis released Labour’s leaked policy on GST: to make fruit and vegetables exempt. At the time Labour refused to confirm or deny it was their policy. Grant Robertson was actually against it. Even he had worked out the many fishhooks that would eventuate. A lawyer’s
Reading Tova O’Brien’s stuff on Stuff one can only wonder how much she contributed to Today FM’s early exit from the media landscape. She was given the unenviable task of beating Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB. She may have dreamed of doing so. Reality of course is
Part-time Stuff journalist and owner of Club Burlesque on Auckland’s K Road, Verity Johnson is appalled. She says neither National nor Labour politicians understand the appeal of public transport in Auckland. Verity says we (Aucklanders) are obsessed with getting around. It’s all we talk about. Therefore Verity
I don’t care how many times the upstart Police Minister from Hutt South tells me I should feel safer: the fact is I don’t and very likely the majority of the country doesn’t either. The little woman can bleat on all she likes about her extra 1800
The forthcoming election will see a change of government. In that sense, the election can’t come soon enough. The banishment of the worst, most inept and non-achieving government in living memory to the Opposition benches will be cause for celebration. I take issue with the prophets of doom
In 2017 Labour came in on the crest of a wave led by “Surfer Girl” Jacinda Ardern. Who remembers the Beach Boys song written by Brian Wilson? The song is described as a teenage daydream; it swoons over the object of his affection, imagining their future together seemingly before they’
I purchase one paper regularly each Saturday – the Weekend Herald. I wouldn’t give you tuppence for the daily edition. It could more correctly be called the Herald Advertiser. The Weekend Herald, while not short of advertising, is a more substantial paper. Opinion writers, particularly those with a left bent,
The tragic event that took place in the Auckland CBD on Thursday morning was a stark reminder that new approaches are needed to stem the rise in serious crime in this country. Not just crime committed by adults, but also by school-age children. Obviously any new ideas cannot be
The Labour Party election slogan could easily be turned against them. The majority of voters are probably thinking ‘In It Because of You’ would be more appropriate. It, in this case, referring to the proverbial pile. ‘In It For You’ is at best highly misleading and at worst a falsehood.
In light of Chris Hipkins’s “captain’s call” to stymie the prospect of taxing the ‘rich pricks’, he has put himself between a rock and a hard place. His choice was to try and capture the middle ground or not offend the loyal left. I think he made the
Listening to a political chat with Sean Plunket and Chris Trotter turned out to be a revealing experience. Chris Trotter is one of the few people on the left of the political spectrum I have time for. His replies to questions are measured and honest. If you listen to him
Leo McKinstry is a columnist for the Daily Express in England. In a recent article titled Bloated public sector must be cut down to size he could be talking about New Zealand. The interesting point is that the UK has been living under a Tory government for the past thirteen
Having a late read of the July 2nd Sunday Star Times, I came across an article written by a young lady by the name of Gabrielle McCullough. I’ll refrain from calling her a journalist in the true sense of the word as reflective of the so-called profession she
This is a somewhat tricky article to write, as it is difficult not to appear rude or insulting; however, facts are facts. What I am writing about are the individuals who make up this Labour Government. You look at them and the first question that springs to mind is – how
