Pre-election antics lift interest
OPINION: Wow. Regardless of your interest in politics, it’s hard to ignore the lead up to the election so far. With Metiria Turei eventually leaving after admissions of benefit and election fraud, Andrew Little stepping to one side and now the two former deputy leaders of the main parties are now the leaders.
National had what was thought to be an unassailable lead but ‘Jacindamania’ has eroded that to the point where Labour are now ahead in the polls for the first time since Auntie Helen was around.
It’s not surprising really when you look at it from a global perspective. There has been a wave of change for the sake of change as the old guard make way for the new and with National having had three terms in office it seems this may be coming our way. People are sick and tired of the same old, same old and regardless of policies as it seems personality politics rules.
It started in the US with Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau in Canada. Theresa May vastly underestimated her support in Britain and fell on her face in a snap election where she thought she would increase her already comfortable majority. Now realising the mistake she made, she’s asking that she finishes Brexit before she too will fall on her sword.
Back home it’s no different as Jacinda Ardern seems to be sweeping all before her. The camera loves her, people love her and she appears as fresh, smiling and positive.
When was the last time people queued for hours to get a selfie with a NZ politician?
She speaks with confidence and did well in the leaders’ debate, not allowing Mike Hosking rule the roost, and putting Bill English on the back foot at every opportunity. What’s not to like - if you have no memories of a Labour-led government?
The dangerous thing is the ‘youthquake’ Ardern is stirring up where 18,000 people aged between 18 and 24 have registered to vote since Ardern became the Labour leader. Sure as eggs they are not queuing up to vote for Winston.
If this election was a bus trip, we’ve been around a few sharp corners, dropped off some passengers and taken on a few more. There will be a few more stops to make on the way to September 23. National has every right to be worried.
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