It’s been a big weekend. I’m completely buggered (not sure I’m allowed to say that but too bad)
An amazing party conference. It’s always great being in the presence of so many Labor comrades but this conference felt kind of different. It felt as though Labour was becoming more Labour. Don’t know if that makes sense but it’s how I feel.
And I think people are warming to what we’re saying. Our challenge is to make sure they know what we’re saying.
Tonight when I got back to Dunedin I took my children to their first concert. Gin Wigmore at Dunedin’s beautiful Regent Theatre (closing night of the Otago Festival of the Arts) . Gin was fantastic. She’s young, she’s cool, she’s got an extraordinary voice, she’s a rockstar, but she’s an ordinary Kiwi girl who’s making it in the music world.
For the first time in a while I felt hopeful. It felt as though things are changing and we can make this country more our own and be proud of what we produce, who we are and who we can be.
And my boys had a great time (so did I).
For me the most important things from this weekend’s conference were the pledges to put our children first in our policies, to state clearly that NZ productive land and strategic assets should be NZ owned and that we should invest in what we’ve got: our skills our potential and our creativity. Gin’s an example of all of that.
This is perhaps Gin’s best known song. I get to listen to it in the car all the time (enforced). She’s got no connections with Labour (that I know of) but her songs resonate.
When I listened to this song tonight, though I know it’s a love song, I thought about how I feel about my country.
From what I’ve seen Labour have shifted left and closer to their roots. At this rate they may even be a left leaning party by the time the election comes round. Which would be good.
Not surprising – people are generally left leaning.
“And I think people are warming to what we’re saying. Our challenge is to make sure they know what we’re saying.”
It’s not easy for people to know what Labour’s saying when the Party website doesn’t even post details. Sure, the leaders’ speeches are there,but what about the remits passed? Where’s any detail about the policies that the leaders proposed?
People need a reason to support Labour, and there’s not enough substance yet to make them do so. You need to focus on that.
Too early for details, dude, G
FF 2 
11 !
I love Gin Wigmore – especially her name
Gin Wigmore? Not the greatest discovery, surely. I read her interview with Michelle Hewitson recently, so maybe I was put off by that. About as exciting as Duffy – what has happened to her?
I see Petula Clark is touring the country again at age 76. She was great on her last tour at 70 or so.
Gin Wigmore has a way to go. Laying off the ciggies and gin might be an option if she partakes?
Clare,
Great sentiments….. I too feel the tide is turning.
Gin is great, a real song in the mouth
And you had the cheek to tell me off for swearing because I used the word “wanker”.
I see, one rule for you, one rule for the rest of us unenlightened hoi polloi.
There is a word for that.
Ok sorry. Clare. Though the context does matter. Can’t remember what yours was