Heather Roy's Diary
Lessons Re-Learned?
Last Saturday's General Election challenges us to re-learn many lessons of the past. Coming just a few days before the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, those lessons are particularly poignant.
New Zealand's culture is unique. There was no conclusive military outcome during colonisation. The values of New Zealand's Celtic settler forebears are almost identical to those of Maori and Pacific Islanders. A strong sense of family and kinship - sept/clan or hapu/iwi - is at the core. That's why there is so much history of marriage and business success between Tangata Pacifica and Celt. There is also a common tradition of hospitality, and an undeniable warrior ethos. Many other ethnic groups that make up the New Zealand of today reflect similar values. Throughout history, in any place in the world, attack these values at your peril.
There has already been much comment on what this election result means. No doubt, much more will follow. If I could ask only one question that would cut through all this, it would be: "did the Labour/Green incumbents lose, or did the National/ACT Opposition win?"
The same question could be asked of the 1918 Armistice. Did the Allies win, the Germans lose - or did both parties just agree to end hostilities? Certainly, appeasement is simply hoping the crocodile eats you last. Any deal that is intended to end suffering must provide a dignified outcome for both parties. That didn't happen in 1918 and we endured WWII as a consequence.
If politics is war without bloodshed, then the lessons from this election and the 1918 Armistice must be the same. People knew in their hearts that the path they were travelling was one that ended in mutually-assured destruction. It had to end. No logic can be written to explain it. There is no Party manifesto or spreadsheet that can adequately explain this.
The Green Party demonstrated this with its child's-eye view ‘Vote for Me' campaign. It was simple, effective and gave them eight MPs without clearly articulating much in the way of policy. I acknowledge their insight in that choice - used first with similar effect by Ireland's Greens in 2007 and which will, undoubtedly, be a feature of the worldwide Green campaign machinery in the future.
It is said that the measure of a victor is the degree of compassion afforded to others. That's why National's inclusion of the Maori Party in coalition talks is positive. In the weeks leading up to the election I saw the odd blog commentator that dared suggest a ‘NAM' (National/ACT/Maori) coalition dismissed as mad. This has been talked up in the media now for the entire week.
Some things have changed forever in New Zealand politics. Personality-based dynasties - such as those run by Helen Clark and Winston Peters - have gone. Of nearly 4.3 million Kiwis, 600,000 now live overseas. No future campaign can ever view Kiwis overseas as a minor constituency. Given this fact, and the proliferation of online media, no future political discussion - campaign or consultation - can regard this as a minor media channel. In a world overwhelmed by facts, the power of a simple message to the heart across channels that reflect social networking, entertainment and gaming styles will be pre-eminent and the Centre-Right has much work to do in order to perfect this style of communication.
I predict a changing of the guard in every political campaign team, with the old spin doctors hanging up their spurs. New Zealanders have signalled that they are tired of ‘angry old white men' messages. The first casualty has been Labour, but we must all learn from this. Kiwis want to feel convinced, not just be "logic'd" there.
Thank you to all those who made the effort to vote last Saturday. No matter which box you ticked, you honoured the best traditions of our unique Kiwi culture and honoured the sacrifice of those that enabled you to place that tick. I intend to do my best to represent your commitment to creating a New Zealand that our children will choose as the place that they want to live and raise their families in.
The Maori view of time is that ‘we must walk forward with one eye fixed firmly on the past.' The military equivalent is ‘ignore history at your peril.' Rationalised, they become ‘Lest We Forget'.
ENDS
I agree Heather, a NAM
I agree Heather, a NAM coalition would be very acceptable. Clearly Maori are very happy with what National has offered them. Sadly, the ' A ' for Act can't share the pleasure, as despite the spin being put on the negotiations, the fact is we got nothing we wanted, it can be summed up as a total waste of everybody's time. The 3 matters we were assured publicly were bottom line were abandoned and dare I mention the " 20 Point Plan ". Where we appear to have got agreement, it was already National Party policy, so no concessions were made, except persumably by us.
Well Heather, you've got a
Well Heather, you've got a ministerial post., so congratulations are in order. I still wish that you had been awarded another ministery, but it is what you do with what you have got, that is important.. In 2011, voters will either say, " Lets give Act a greater voice " or " what a disaster ", so we will all be watching with great interest, as you operate in each field.
James, I think you are being
James,
I think you are being a little harsh. Remember ACT is the junior coalition partner in this. The fact that Rodney and Heather got anything at all is great. Do you really think the Nats were going to roll over and give us everything we campaigned on? Look at it pragmatically:
1. We get the 3 strikes law to select committee - that means it gets discussed. It means all NZers get an opportunity to make submissions. It means the Nats get to see and hear the evidence. Getting it through a first reading gives us the opportunity to put pressure on National to do something about crime.
2. We get a select committee to review the ETS. Now it might not sound like much but it means more analysis, more public scrutiny and more thought into making it a fairer, more workable, less costly scheme. Even if the Nats keep the ETS it won't be the same ETS that Labour passed
3. On capping spending we get Rodney on the Expenditure Control Committee; we get a series of task forces to review Government spending and make submissions on where savings can be made by cutting waste; we get Rodney in charge of Local Authorities (tell me that won't make a difference - if I was a Mayor Id be worried right now) and the ACT Taxpayers Bill of Rights gets support to the select committee which means it gets considered and ordinary Kiwis get to make submissions which creates influence over politicians etc etc. We might even get Labour supporting it!!!
As for the 20 point plan, we have 3 years to directly influence the Govt - National have agreed to ongoing discussions concerning our 20 point plan. The first win from there is a top rate of tax of 30% in the medium term.
Not bad when the Nats could have said "get stuffed" and just gone with the Maoris and Peter Dunne.
Also, Heather has ministerial responsibility where she can make a real difference. If I was in the armed forces, I'd be absolutely over the moon the Sapper Roy is now associate Minister of Defence. It's like making Michael Jones associate Minister for the Rugby World Cup. Bloody well done Heather!
So don't expect miracles in the first week, for have 3 years for that.
I hope you are right Dave,
I hope you are right Dave, but I think you'll agree that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Like many others I think I worked hard to get Act into government, having letterbox dropped several thousand leaflets and worn out a pair of shoes serving the cause. I am thrilled with what Rodney and Heather got in the way of posts, but still feel that we might reasonably have expected better. However, official titles are less important than achievements and I will be watching with interest to see what each M.P. achieves over the next 3 years. I hope party members help them by getting speaking invitations overr the next couple of years to raise their profile and help ensure their return in 2011.
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