"...would it be better in the long run (and more humane) to allow ACT and its damaged brand to die a quiet death? That may create room for a new liberal free market party to spring up on his right."
I have my own question.
I want Brash, but I don't want Banks. Do I want Brash more than I don't want Banks? If ACT polls like it did in 2005 that's what ACT will be. No good for me.
So I'll keep watching the polls and waiting for number three to be announced.
8 comments:
I think you need to paraphrase Groucho Marx : "Any club that would have me as a member, isn't the sort of club I'd want to join."
When I saw Banks on TV this week I had the same visceral nausea I used to get with Muldoon. Banks is a squeaky, nasty authoritarian. Any party that has him, doesn't deserve your support.
Peter
If we needed any better demonstration of ACT's complete lack of principles, it was demonstrated by Banks and others weasel-worded response to their leader's proposal to legalise cannabis. So, I agree with Small's comment.
What this country needs is a classical liberal/libertarian party that is prepared to stand by its principles.
Oh, I forgot, we already have one - it's called the Libertarian Party. How about we all vote for them?
A Libertarian Party in Parliament who would be far more likely to put a brake on the statist National Party than ACT has been able to do.
(Incidentally, I have no association with the Libertarians).
Kiwiwit has it right: Libertarianz is the only party in NZ that has not waivered from it's classical liberal principles.
I learned a couple of elections ago, tactical voting was pointless: I now vote on principles only, thus Libertarianz.
To be fair to Vernon Small, he has never forgotten his partiality to Labour (and Helen Clark).
Libertarian Party ...to put a brake on the statist National Party
You leftertarians make me SICK.
Just like the ACT MP on the radio claiming she'd really really miss Keith "pol pot" Locke because of his staunch support for "civil liberties" etc etc and how much ACT voted with the Greens against Nat & Lab.
What NZ needs is a real centre left party who will Drag the Nats kicking and screaming in to the centre left and away from the communist policies they share with labour.
Not a real right-wing party
Not even a centre party
Just a centre left party - you know, someone like Barack Obama - after all every single one of Bracaks policies are to the right of even the leftertarians
NZ: your choice of parties: Bolshevik, Menschevki, or Trotskyite - oh, and leftertarians too.
The ACT party is like a badly wounded animal, hauling itself in ever-tighter circles, trailing blood all the way.
The kindest thing that can be done at this point is that someone shoot it and give it a decent burial.
Having said that, I used to love John Banks's early morning radio show. Insane at times, but outrageously funny.
You are too hard on John Banks. He is a man of principal, and God knows there are few enough of those in politics.
Disagree with him if you will, but at least he is clear about what he stands for.
LOL the only men of principal in parliament are Kelvin Davis and Allan Peachy. Or did you mean "principle"?
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