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Chris Trotter's avatar

A good question, Andrew, about which I thought long and hard.

The reason I did not include Bolger's government is twofold. First, the economic and social policies it introduced were of a piece with those introduced by the Fourth Labour Government - although, one could argue, more extreme. If unapologetic neoliberalism were to be the criteria for labelling a government "hard-right", then every government of New Zealand since 1984 must be so designated, which makes the whole argument a bit soggy. (Or, should that be impossibly dry and dusty?)

The second reason, is that on the big questions - the unions and welfare in particular - the National Party had sought and been given an electoral mandate. In such circumstances, denouncing it as "hard-right" suggests that the electorate has no right to turn in that direction. But, if we were to accept this, then Democracy itself goes down the plughole.

Jenny Shipley's "government", on the other hand, possessed no mandate whatsoever, and would, I believe, have carried New Zealand a lot further to the right, had its precarious majority not prevented it from doing so.

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Oscar's avatar

Thought provoking read. I like Anderton's 'motto'. I think that sums it up well.

Was a bit jarring to read John Campbell's article. As someone said, he's working through the stages of grief. But to accuse the current Govt of being mainly populist, when we have just come through 5 years of Jacinda Ardern as our PM?

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