On the day that we win

When Labour wins the general election in 2014, and David Shearer is sworn in as Prime Minister, what will be the public mood? How will people feel about a new government with a big mandate to profoundly change New Zealand?

People will be sick of the failure of austerity politics, and they will be focused like Labour on policies that will spark more jobs, higher wages and faster growth.

People will be worried about the growing queues in the health system, exploding class sizes in schools, and Auckland's transport infrastructure being in crisis. They'll have decided the cuts have gone too far.

People will be incensed at the unfairness of tax and asset sales policies that leave most Kiwis behind but leave some pocketing heaps, not because they hate success but because they want *everyone* to have the chance to get ahead.

Voters will have cottoned onto the fact that this country won't match Aussie wages without stronger industrial relations laws that give people more power at work.

The broad swathe of that majority will be convinced that New Zealand can build a common future, tackling our social & economic challenges while truly respecting the environment. And it won't be frightened by the differences between us kiwis: it'll be celebrating that diversity in a shared vision of community and of New Zealand as the smartest, greenest, richest and fairest little country in the world.

They will have the frame of mind that sees them concerned about these things because the Labour Party, working with parliamentary allies and a wide range of communities, will be ruthless over the next few years in making these the issues that define what New Zealand can be.

Political junkies will marvel at the party's refusal to be defined by Steven Joyce and National's agenda, by its sparkling message discipline, its savvy communications strategy, and the ruthless discipline it deployed in making those things real.

They - and the public - will marvel at how, in a few short years, Labour went from a defensive and internal focus to a big, vigorous, open, welcoming organisation on which they could confidently project their ideas for the future, their hopes and dreams for themselves, their families, their communities and the nation.

Getting there is going to be fun. I hope you're up for it. Parts of it are going to be a bumpy ride, but the prize is worth the fight.

Comments

[jr238]

Any thoughts on how that is going to happen when the Labour Party is hated in provincial NZ? Or do you think selecting candidates with no connections to seats and who refuse to live in the seats they are standing in (like Andrew Little) will suddenly win votes? Labour has no chance at ever winning unless they actually campaign and select decent candidates in the provinces

[goobs]

retarded analysis

[dave]

This is not one of your better posts, Jordan.

[Jordan Carter]

@"jr238" - I think the direction of the party in acknowledging the need to reconnect in provincial towns and cities is well flagged. "Hated" is a matter of debate: disinterested is a more common response. Neither is suitable. But both are the same way the National party is treated in Labour heartlands, and neither party is out to convert the hard core supporters of the other.

The others - thanks for your clever, thought-provoking and insightful comments. :)

[alwyn]

Wow!
What are you smoking and where can I get some?

[jr238]

and neither party is out to convert the hard core supporters of the other." it is not about converting the hard core supporters. Do you think 15% party vote in Tauranga is acceptable? Do you think having a candidate there who thought the city on SH1 was going to mean you were going to do well? She got out polled by Brendan Horan!! Are you saying that cities like Whakatane, Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson, Invercargill are bastions of conservative voting? Why has Labour been "disinterested" or is it just a lack of respect

[Morgan Godfery]

I'd love this to happen, Jordan, but it's fantasy. Shearer is pursuing the same lame 'I'm nicer than John Key' strategy, the same 'I don't want to offend anyone" strategy, the same failed strategies from last term. Shearer, and his entire caucus for that matter, have been well off the pace. On almost every issue this year, Winston, Hone and Russell Norman have been first out of the blocks and hammered the issues far harder than Shearer.

[Peterle paysan]

I love your optimism.

I know it is early days but I am worried about Shearer.

He reminds me of Rowling, very capable, very well liked but
incapable of dealing to a Teflon coated opponent.

Cunliff might be an arrogant sod but he is what is required to deal
to that bunch of natz.