Cameron Slater has reversed his claims about who leaked Simon Bridges’ expenses, switching from saying with some certainty that Jami-Lee Ross was the leaker to saying he wasn’t. Slater often makes dubious claims, and often doesn’t back up his claims with facts. And when one of his claims later turns out to be true he […]
Slater reverses his claims about leaker
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Bridges versus Slater escalates
Cameron Slater seems to have been largely speculating from the sidelines of the Jami-Lee Ross saga, until the weekend when Ross was committed to mental health care. That is now getting very messy and ugly. Yesterday from NZ Herald: National’s leader Simon Bridges rings Dirty Politics blogger to talk Jami-Lee Ross The Jami-Lee Ross saga […]
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The non-naming of the National MP
The National MP who is alleged to have had a relationship with Jami-Lee Ross and is claimed to have played a part in precipitating a claimed attempt at suicide has not been named publicly by media. Ross did name her in a radio interview, but in replays her name was beeped out. Discussions have continued […]
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Jami-Lee Ross gives proxy vote to National
After over a week of absence Jami-Lee Ross resurfaced yesterday with a notice that he has given his proxy vote to National. He is now an independent MP but hasn’t been in Parliament since he was hospitalised a week and a half ago. I appreciate all the recent messages of support. I was well looked […]
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National rejects proxy vote offered by Jami-Lee Ross
Now-independent MP Jami-Lee Ross offered his proxy vote to National on Wednesday: I appreciate all the recent messages of support. I was well looked after by the fantastic people at Middlemore, and grateful for their care. On medical advice I remain on leave, but have given National my proxy vote to ensure Botany continues to […]
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Jami-Lee Ross continues attacks with another recording reported on
I thought hard about posting in this – another secretly recorded conversation between Jami-lee Ross and Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett. It appears to be released as another attack on Bridges and National, being headlined as ‘a cover-up’, but it looks to me like fairly normal political management, plus an attempt to go relatively easy […]
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Journalism versus political hit jobs
There has been discussion and questions asked lately about why some media (Newshub and RNZ in particular) have been publishing conversations that had been secretly recorded by Jami-Lee Ross. It has appeared at times as of they are aiding ongoing attacks on Simon Bridges and National on behalf of Ross and/or Cameron Slater and/or Simon […]
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We now we see these unelected journalists for what they really are?
This is remarkable commentary from Newshub’s ‘national reporter’ Patrick Gower: Simon Bridges is finished I don’t think that it’s his call to make. It is the business of the National caucus. And if Bridges survives through to the next election, it will be up to voters. It’s been 62 days since Newshub Political Editor Tova […]
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Bridges makes first term promise on taxes
But he doesn’t say when he expects that first term to be. I believe Kiwis pay too much tax already. That’s why @nznationalparty will:✓ get rid of the Akld Regional Fuel tax✓ repeal any Capital Gains Tax✓ Have no new taxes in our first term✓ Not add any more excise tax to petrol in our […]
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Bridges, Brownlee ordered out of Parliament
Simon Bridges and Gerry Brownlee were turfed out of Parliament today by the Speaker, Trevor Mallard, in another sign of an ongoing battle between them. Bridges was not getting the answers he wanted from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and when Mallard rose Bridges said “Oh, here comes the protection.” An overreaction from Mallard? An attention […]
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Government appointed Speakers are always contentious, but Mallard…
…is the one currently in the gun for being tough on National MPs, and particularly struggling to tolerate Leader of the Opposition Simon Bridges. And National are getting more vocal (reckless) in criticising Mallard’s protection on Government MPs, particularly Jacinda Ardern. Bridges and Gerry Brownlee were turfed out of Parliament by Mallard yesterday – see […]
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Bridges continues inquisition of Government over Sroubek
Simon Bridges and National have continued to niggle away at the Government, in particular Jacinda Ardern, trying to uncover a connection between the Prime Minister and the decision to not deport Karel Sroubek (now reversed). Bridges wasn’t in Parliament yesterday (as is the custom on Thursdays for National and Labour leaders), but tweaked by tweet: […]
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Media intent on popularity politics dump on Bridges
Political journalists are focussing on Simon Bridges – on how well he is doing as Leader of the Opposition, and whether there is someone in the National caucus who could do better. With National polling very well it would be odd for them to dump their leader, but when in Opposition there will always be […]
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Labour leaks targeting Bridges
There have been a series of leaks of internal information obviously designed to damage Simon Bridges and National. This began with the odd expenses leak just a few days before the information was due for public release, followed by the onslaught from Jami-Lee Ross as the now ex-National MP self destructed. There have been further […]
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Sroubek -> Hardcore -> Ardern – pressure builds for full disclosure
The Opposition have been pressuring Iain Lees-Galloway and Jacinda Ardern on the Karel Sroubek deportation issue for over a month. National have obviously been trying to connect Ardern to the original decision by Lees-Galloway not to deport Sroubek after he completed his current prison sentence. Today in Parliament, and immediately afterwards, some dots were joined. […]
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Binding referendum on cannabis in 2020
The Government has left it as late as possible but have now confirmed there will be a referendum on personal use of cannabis alongside the 2020 general election. I’d have preferred it sooner but at least this allows for proper legislation to be agreed on by Parliament (if this is how it is decided it […]
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Ardern finally fronts up on Hardcore re Sroubek
Jacinda Ardern made things difficult for herself for nearly two months by evading questions over her connection to Richie hardcore, who is connected to Karel Sroubek and his attempt to avoid deportation. Ardern finally saw fit to provide what sounds like a reasonable explanation in Parliament today: This is the only text I received on […]
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119-1 support for Child Poverty Reduction Bill
All parties except ACT (David Seymour) voted in favour of the third reading (and final vote) of the Child Poverty Reduction Bill in Parliament yesterday. NZ Herald: Child Poverty Reduction Bill passes third reading The Prime Minister’s Child Poverty Reduction Bill has passed its third reading in Parliament with near unanimous support from political parties […]
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Can National rebuild itself for the future?
The National Party seems complacent due to sustaining quite remarkable support in polls – probably more to do with their opponents not earning more support yet. More of the same old (party), with a new but more conservative leader failing to inspire, is not a good formula for future success. E.A. Blair – KiwiFirewalker: National […]
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Make or break year for Simon Bridges
It’s difficult taking over leadership of a political party, especially one of the two parties, and especially after previous long term popular leadership. Labour had a lot of trouble finding a popular leader after Helen Clark left after losing the 2008 election. They went through four struggling leaders before circumstances forced a shock shift to […]
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