I’m sure a few of my colleagues won’t think much of me linking to Cactus Kate.
This story has comments that are wrong – and her conclusion is pure Acting – but the nub of it that Bill English is on the ropes, a liability and a hypocrite is where we have common ground.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 8:48 am and is filed under Budget, economic, economy, finance, national, parliament, Pay Equity. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
English is quoted on Stuff saying “We haven’t had any influence over it at all” in relation to the TVNZ National Party promotional ad, yet the dude from TVNZ6&7 said on the radio that Double Dipton’s office redrafted the promo ad script. So, I guess he will have to go, as CK suggests?
Precisely Trevor, and the most amazing part is – Bill English still doesnt appear to get it about rorts and conflicts. Only this morning he was gloating that these million dollar taxpayer funded ads ‘looked good”. Not to ordinary hard-working Kiwis they don’t.
Interesting perspectives, Mr Mallard and Mr Cunliffe. I think Mr English is pretty safe however. Even if it is agreed that he is a liability (and for the sake of clarity, I don’t think he is a liability) Mr Key could still afford to carry him with polling at 60%.
Balance off thread – as were some of your previous comments Trevor
For Bill English to go, John Key would have to *do* something about his deputy, not simply kick for touch on the issue. So I’m not so sure Bill English is going anywhere.
Also, if Bill English goes, it isn’t the deputy role that would be hard to fill: it is the finance portfolio that would be a challenge. Who in the National party is able and free to replace Bill English in that role?
I hope we’re not seeing creeping signs of the blurring of standards of propriety and objectivity in NZ politics and broadcasting.
If Bill English’s colleagues and the PM seem to continue to aid and abet in his housing allowance ‘arrangements’, are we now seeing the public broadcaster aiding and abetting in his party political promo?
Shabby standards proliferating.
To ease the transition out of office, I wonder who is working on a ‘deep and considered look’ at an exit strategy and pathway.
Maybe it’s Stephen Joyce?
True Fremantle Doctor, Joyce is named dropped as a replacement. My concern is next month Steven Joyce would have had twelve months experience as an Member of Parliamemt and Minister of the Crown. Finance is one of the big roles – I would be surprised if Joyce could claim the necessary experience.
Obviously, I could be proved wrong. Selections of National party ministers are a matter for the Prime Minister and the National Party caucus.
Oh go on – give the portfolio to Tolley – just for fun.
Not quite in the league of Silvio Berlesconi, but not good when a state broadcaster becomes so involved with a minister’s office. Don’t you love it how the economic definition of “Productivity” gets used as code for paying less per hour. I would have assumed it would something to do with what is produced- but there you go.
I admit calling you the best left blogger in NZ history was perhaps factually incorrect. But what’s a little embellishment for a Wednesday?
@Paul LOL – Nooo, this place would turn into a banana republic faster than a ship could sink.
So Bill’s expenses don’t warrant any further examination according to the AG, hence the perception will be ‘nothing to see here, move along, thus not a liability at all.
I don’t get that decision
