pn589. National's line-up, a shadow of its former self, and Education is bottom of the heap

It's a much smaller shadow cabinet line up than last time (click here), with National lacking numbers and strength after its election losses.  The appointment of Shane Reti as Deputy Leader is a welcome sign but the relegation of Paul Goldsmith from 4th to 12th, where he picks up Education, seems to say more about National's priorities, with Education at the bottom of the heap,  than it does about Goldsmith's previous shortcomings in Finance.   

It is pleasing to note that Labour places Education far higher, with Minister Chris Hipkins fifth in Cabinet, with two assistant Ministers to boot.

For Labour's Cabinet line-up, see pn584.

-- ACW

pn586. Special votes results. Wins for Labour, Greens and the Maori Party

We have so much to be thankful for.  

As Aotearoa waited for the election special votes results there was no talk of violence in the streets or threatened endless litigation. Our citizens are more tolerant of opposition and more liberal than the citizens of the divided nation misnamed the United States of America. A womanising  egotistical, vain, ignorant and self-serving person would never be Prime Minister here.

So —feeling rather proud of ourselves— let us turn to the special votes announced this afternoon. 

National's agonies continue with its loss of two more seats, and Labour won three electorates that it lost on election night.