pn562. Tuesday, a second day of Mondayitis: Further reflections on the elections

         

The consensus among journalists seems to be that Labour will have difficulty in meeting the expectations of  (a) the former National supporters who voted for it and expect it to "do little" and (b) those Labour stalwarts who want at least some transformational change. 

With Jacinda saying she will govern for all New Zealanders, Labour seems to have signalled it will stay centre to right of centre, and probably won't enter into ANY formal agreement with the Greens. (I thought it instructive that former PM Helen Clarke, possibly as an advisory on the Greens, spoke of politics being about long term relationships. Not to strengthen the Labour-Greens relationship may bode poorly for Labour at future elections.)

Two right wing journalists have presumed to tell Labour what it can and cannot do. Thank you, guys!

Mike Yardley says Labour MUST govern from the centre. It would be an "overreach to forge a coalition with the Greens, given those leftie excesses are anathema to those half million blue voters who have entrusted Labour with their vote." Helen du Fresne says the vote was not a vote for transformational change. She hopes Labour will not "abuse ... (the blue voter trust) and force major structural change." Kate Hawesby, Mike Hosking's wife, says National votes were given to Labour to keep the Greens out.

From the left, unions sat they expect major improvements from Labour. The Nurses Organisation  is concerned about  pay disparities, with nurses wanting "an end to persistent [30%, mainly Maori and Iwi providers] discrepancies in pay levels between those who work in District Health Boards and those who work in Primary Care". The Council of Trade Unions expects Labour to introduce fair pay agreements. CTU President Richard Wagstaff said, " A fair go for working people and beneficiaries is needed".  He did not think people would be very tolerant if the new government fails to deliver.

The Public Service Association expects to see "investment in public and community services and reform industrial relations law to protect ordinary Kiwis ... on Saturday the people of this land made it crystal clear they want that to change now.  issues it wants to address include inequalities faced by women, ethnic minorities, and disabled people, as well as settling equal pay claims." 

With a revigorated  Maori Party likely win in Waiariki and with 15 —the most ever— Maori MPs in government, Maori also expect much more progress on Treaty obligations and redressing many social and imbalances. Appointing Kelvin Davis Deputy PM will not be enough.

As for what Labour will actually do, it's still too early to say, but the fact that business and the share market do not seem too concerned about Labour's victory  says much. 

--  ACW

P.S, Selwyn Manning argues the Greens must not shy away from being part of the new government.