Labourites return to South Conference performances important

WITH pipers, a haggis ceremony, cheese rolls and Chills frontman Martin Phillips, the Labour Party conference in Dunedin this weekend is intended to double as a celebration of the South.

Labour has not held its annual gettogether in Dunedin since 1988, and local MPs are planning a show of what the city has to offer.

Dunedin North MP David Clark said conference venues were often decided for pragmatic reasons such as the number of local delegates and ease of transport — hence the 30year gap between conferences.

However, Dunedin was now easier to get to and local members were enthusiastic about hosting the gathering.

‘‘We’re keen on getting as many people here as possible and showing off what we have.

‘‘We see it as an opportunity to showcase the city as well as celebrate with the party what we have achieved so far.’’

Dunedin South MP Clare Curran said when she and Dr Clark pitched two years ago for the city to host the conference, they had highlighted the special characteristics Dunedin had.

‘‘We’re providing a list of all the main local places to visit and on the Sunday before the leader’s speech there is a 11⁄2hour break where we will be offering tours.’’

The conference, being held at Dunedin Town Hall, opens tomorrow night with a civic welcome from Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, and short speeches from Labour party president Nigel Haworth and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

On Saturday, Prof Haworth, deputy leader Kelvin Davis and Finance Minister Grant Robertson will deliver major speeches, before the party meets in closed session to discuss its policy platform and hold elections to the party council.

On Sunday, Ms Ardern will make her leader’s speech, an event which will be open to the public.

A The party is looking to establish a new branch in Queenstown.

A meeting will be held in the St John building in Frankton tonight to see if there is enough interest in setting up.

Party member and meeting organiser Gordon Dickson said it was an opportunity for people to discuss issues in the area.

MIKE HOULAHAN

IN theory, Dunedin should afford Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern a rousing reception at her leader’s speech at this weekend’s Labour Party conference.

She is in a steadfast Labour city, and in recent months the coalition government she leads has signed off a $1 billionplus hospital rebuild for Dunedin, and as well as making a contribution to the city’s waterfront development. Ms Ardern’s personal popularity is riding high in the polls, and her party climbed back ahead of National in the latest 1 News Colmar Brunton poll.

Labour activists talk about the party having momentum, but this supposed resurgence in favour is built on questionable foundations.

Just a few weeks ago Ms Ardern’s political management was being questioned in the wake of rumours of discord in the coalition Government and the aftermath of two Cabinet ministers losing their jobs.

Business confidence remains brittle, and that is echoed by the latest poll, which found pessimism over New Zealand’s economic prospects at 41% and optimism at just 33%.

Both Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Ms Ardern will be making major speeches and the stakes are higher than might be supposed for what should be an enthusiastic party rally.

Mr Robertson — like many a Labour finance minister before him — is battling to convince business leaders of his fiscal responsibility.

Ms Ardern — like many a previous Labour prime minister — is battling to meet the raised expectation of Labour loyalists while avoiding opposition claims of selling out to union interests.

For both, their conference speeches are of great importance.

Mr Robertson has to somehow appear both generous and dependable at the same time, while Ms Ardern will be looking to add some fortitude to her feelgood conference finale.

Neither task will be easy, but good performances over the weekend may go some way to making the second year of the Ardernlea government less rocky than the first.