RICHARD PREBBLE - The First Turning Point: TOP Commits Suicide
We have witnessed one of the election’s turning points.
There are turning points in every election. Sometimes it is a debate performance. Often it is a statement that alienates either possible voters or the party’s activists.
All parties run two campaigns. One to motivate their supporters to donate and volunteer, and another to attract voters.
It is a balancing act.
One campaign without the other does not work.
The reason why in the Kingmaker debate none of the leaders would spell out their bottom lines was that whatever they said would alienate either their supporters or potential voters.
In the 1999 campaign, when I said I supported privatisation, the ACT members loved it and voters who thought the railways were an asset hated it. We dropped 3% in the next poll.
I would bet my parliamentary super that TOP party members joined because they supported land tax and a guaranteed income. Not one joined for what are now the party’s five bottom lines.
As for voters. TOP’s support collapsed at the previous election when voters realised the party wanted to get rid of Moggie. Who knew that TOP’s bottom line is protecting Nemo?
If your priority is banning trawling in the Pacific Ocean you would vote Green.
Qiulae Wong has written a five-point suicide note.
Before a single vote is counted Qiulae has signalled she is selling out the party’s flagship policies and she will do any deal with anyone.
Qiulae Wong is fourth in Mt Albert on 10 per cent. TOP is polling at 6 per cent, and it has been below the 5 per cent threshold in another recent poll.
The five bottom lines will sink TOP.
TOP is in the dustbin before the first vote is cast.
Richard Prebble is a former Minister and ACT Party leader who writes at I've Been Thinking
This is just my suggestion. I expect disagreement so bring it on.
IF WE WANT TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR WESTERN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION, WE NEED TO JOIN AND BECOME ACTIVELY INVOLVED MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL PARTY.
No political party or other organization can be strong unless it has enough actively engaged and determined loyal members cooperating for its survival and success.
None of the current political parties, including the National Party, have many actively engaged members.
All of the political parties are weak and have to solicit votes by promising to give us more of someone else's money.
None can govern for the benefit of the majority and future of our nation because they have to appease the members…
Voters,when deciding who to vote for,and the bribes being offered,please remember the wise words of Winston Churchill, " NO GOVT> OR COUNCIL CAN GIVE YOU ANYTHING IT HAS NOT TAKEN OFF SOMEONE ELSE FIRST !! Norm M. Katikati.
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Richard,I always read your articles ,you make a lot of sense ! So does Winston, and Act.leader.The political bribes based on envy and jealousy ,hopefully will not succeed,but because of economic pain in many households,some may have little choice !Current prime minister has to go,no doubt about that, if national is to survive ! [Bribes and taxes based on envy and jealousy ,hope fully will not sway too many,but it will be a hard decision for those good kiwis that are struggling !! I really feel for them ! Norm mayo, Katikati.
Richard- your article got me thinking.
The following is not support for TOP. I don't want to see TOP being the kingmaker come November.
However TOPs big ideas ( those not in it bottom lines) do appeal to voters because the current system is rigged to protect the rich, maintain the status quo and deny many of our young the opportunity to buy a home or even get a decent job.
I like that TOP is thinking outside the box. We need radical reform of both the tax system and the welfare system. We need savings and investment that will grow the economy and create opportunities for those willing and able to take them ( not just sit back complain…
Interesting that tax and welfare reform is not on TOPs bottom lines.
Everything TOP is " demanding" is already represented in the policies of the Greens.
Hopefully those ex national voters thinking of supporting TOP as a centrist party realise it's actuslly a vote for the far Left.