If the polls are to be believed, a new political power could be running the country next week … with Jacinda Ardern’s vision of a progressive society left in disarray
n what could be one of the most abrupt reversals of political fortune, polls on New Zealand’s election on 14 October suggest voters appear ready to abandon the country’s centre-left government – once wildly popular – in favour of a centre-right coalition whose policies would permanently draw a line under the
“None of them believe that their plans add up to fix the cost of living crisis,” he adds. The lack of electoral enthusiasm for the major parties could leave neither National – led by, former Air New Zealand chief executive and a relative newcomer to Parliament – nor Labour, led by prime minister and career politician Chris Hipkins, with an easy path to power.National and its traditional partner, Act, a minor libertarian party, would not win enough seats to govern.
Hipkins was thrust into the premiership in January after Ardern quit the post abruptly. While initially he received a polls boost, it did not last. Four LabourBut eclipsing Labour’s internal woes was the cost of living crisis, driven by a global recession, inflation reaching three-decade highs, record grocery prices, and a series of interest rate rises.
As living costs increased, some who had supported the country’s strict lockdowns early in the pandemic changed their minds. Ardern – the face of the successful Covid response – became a more polarising figure.Now, says Imam, Labour scarcely dares to mention their pandemic record. “They don’t brag about the Covid success and they don’t brag about their accomplishments,” she says.
Thomas said a National-led government would be more conservative than Ardern’s “big vision” approach to politics; the former prime minister set ambitious, measurable goals – at times with mixed results – paired with “sweeping, transformative” societal initiatives.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand fails to condemn Hamas attacksNew Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has failed to condemn the massive attack by Hamas militants on the state of Israel.
Read more »
Paparoa Track: the challenging road to New Zealand’s 10th great walkAfter eight years, two cyclones, a landslide and a pandemic, international hikers are at last lacing up for this remote and spectacular trail
Read more »
‘So grimy, so cheap’: New Zealand Matrix fan film becomes oldest active torrent in the worldDirector says it is both ‘bizarre’ and ‘nice’ that the film, recorded 20 years ago using a handy-cam and a karaoke microphone, has remained so popular
Read more »
‘People are angry’: NZ Labour faces voter revoltSeven years after Jacinda Ardern and her progressive brand swept to power in New Zealand, voter frustration about the high cost of living could boot Labour from office.
Read more »
Tinder unveils new safety featureTinder is taking further action to ensure its users safety, trialling a new ID and photo verification feature in Australia and New Zealand from today.
Read more »