Lefties look to dredge up the past
Caustic beneficiaries activist Sue Bradford isn't ruling out attempting a political comeback, if a new extreme left-wing party manages to get off the ground.
The red-for-life-Bradford spent a decade as a list MP for the "Green" party, before quitting in 2009 after losing out to Metiria Turei for the co-leadership position.
She has confirmed there are ongoing discussions about a new left-wing party, but won't say who's involved. Former New Labour/Alliance power browker Matt McCarten is another likely to be involved in any new party. McCarten is currently the national secretary of the Unite Union (hospitality and retail workers), and stood as an Independent candidate in the Mana by-election last October.
The old Alliance Party still exists, but struggles to garner support from the electorate, gaining just 0.08% of the vote in the 2008 General Election. However left-wing backers believe they can ease concerns over "wasted votes" and attract more support for a new party if they have a chance of gaining an electorate seat (meaning they don't need to reach the 5% MMP vote threshold).
Hone Harawira's showdown with the Maori Party hierarchy is seen as a timely "in" for the loopy-lefters, who believe his Te Tai Tokerau could be their potential doorway back to Parliament. Harawira's future in the Maori Party will be discussed tomorrow by its disciplinary and disputes committee, altho Harawira wasn't saying whether he'd be attending.
But while Bradford and Harawira may find some common ground over areas like a higher minimum wage and bigger welfare handouts, the two agendas may have difficulty working in tandem longterm, particurlary if that relationship ever included being part of a Government.
As David Farrar points out, voters are unlikely to willingly back a Goff-led Government which required the support of all of Russel Norman, Metiria Turei, Hone Harawira, Sue Bradford, and Winston Peters to pass any laws.
* Stuff: Bradford confirms Leftist party talk
[ Right now I'm listening to:
^ Avril Lavigne - What the Hell (Avril Lavigne, Max Martin, Shellback)
^ David Archuleta - Something 'bout Love ]
^ Avril Lavigne - What the Hell (Avril Lavigne, Max Martin, Shellback)
^ David Archuleta - Something 'bout Love ]
Posted at 7:54 pm
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The Financial Transaction Tax touted by the Mana Party was originally adapted by Kelvyn Alp for the party DDP in 2004 for the 2005 General Elections. (And he has proof of this) He has carried that policy into the OURNZ Party (going through formal registration).
Kelvyn approached Hone Harawira via Hone’s relations seeking to unite minor parties with similar aims. Hone asked for 1) the OURNZ Party policies (available at http://www.ournz.net/) to see if there were areas of agreement and 2) Mike Tamaki to call him. This was done and contact ceased.
His application of the Transaction Tax is inappropriate and will raise prices.
The original policy: Taxation rates are too high, meaning that companies are at a disadvantage when competing for foreign investment, business on the world stage and for real growth.
The solution is a 1% Transaction Tax on all outgoing financial transactions. The tax will replace ALL other taxes including many “hidden” taxes. Software programmed into RBNZ’s electronic clearing system will state daily transactions of the banking system, meaning implementation will be simple. Calculated on total transacted amount per annum, a tax of 1% will provide the Government with sufficient operating revenue.
Some think it would negatively affect the economy. This is a false notion and it will have a beneficial effect on the economy through being able to tax money that is now untaxed. This solution will bring prosperity, increases in employment and less dependence on the State.
Money was intended to distribute goods and services at an agreed value. Money was never meant to be a commodity. The solution is not to tax the real wealth of this country (labour, resources, business etc), but rather to tax how wealth is distributed. With no income tax, nor GST to pay, everybody will effectively have a pay rise.
So, the only Party that understands the application of the policy properly is OURNZ Party and we shall be campaigning on this and other policies this year. Join us on the OURNZ Group discussion page on Facebook!