How is the opposition performing?

Earlier this week I did a blog post on opposition politics and some of the lessons from National as an opposition.  I would like to look at each of the seven lessons in terms of how the opposition is currently performing.

Firstly, you must unite behind a leader.  There was a remarkably smooth transition of leadership from Helen Clark to Phil Goff.  Goff's leadership is secure, he will lead Labour into the next election and any attempts to undermine that leadership (if that happens - which I doubt) won't be tolerated.  That puts the Labour opposition in the best possible position.  The Greens have also united behind their new young leaders who will take the Greens into the next election. 5/5

Secondly, opposition is most successful when it is united.  There have been a few issues that have united Labour and the Greens (and to some extent the Maori Party) such as the Auckland Super-city.  But the opposition is going to have to be much stronger on New Zealand wide issues of concern if it is to start to dent the popularity of the National-led Government.  Jobs, taxes, a "Green new deal", health and education seem like the most obvious choices.  Speaking in opposition with one voice on these issues will be crucial to building up an alternative Government.  We're far from there yet. 1/5

Thirdly, you can't just be negative and run New Zealand down.  I think Labour is getting the mix right on this one.  Labour is attacking the Government, but suggesting alternatives and not talking New Zealand down in general terms.  But eventually positive concrete policies will have to be part of the mix.  4/5

Fourthly, the public has to be open to listening.  As I have said before no'one wants to hear from Labour at the moment.  People want to give National a fair go so there is no point shouting from the rooftops lambasting the Government.  Which is why Labour has taken a much more grassroots approach.  Rather than expect the public to listen, Labour is going out to the community and listening.  Phil Goff is quietly touring the country in his "touching base" campaign, and there is an expectation that our MPs and party activists create opportunities for listening to the public and community.  That approach is being criticised by the media as Labour and Phil Goff being too low-profile.  But I think it demonstrates that Labour knows that for the public to be open to listening, Labour has to listen first. 4/5

Fifth, brand the Government and repeat those phrases.  I'm still waiting.  0/5

Sixth, talk about the issues that matter.  I think there is a strong sense developing about what those key issues are (or will be).  I mentioned some above.  Phil Goff, in his latest video, talks about job security and youth unemployment, providing for families, training/education and R&D, and well targeted tax cuts.  The Greens have started talking about a "Green New Deal".  Add health into the mix, and I think that is the makings of a platform for the 2011 General Election.  The problem to date is how to talk about and frame those issues (see above) and how to turn them into campaigns.  3/5

Seventh, build an army of volunteers, supporters and cheerleaders.  The Labour Party is rebuilding but needs to be much stronger.  It relies on too few activists and too few members at present.  The opposition also lacks cheerleaders in the media and community willing to speak out against the Government, or in favour of alternative ideas.  The same is true for the Green Party.  1/5

A good solid start, but a lot of work to do.

Next post - how opposition politics is different under MMP, in particular looking at the Greens, Maori and Act parties.

Comments

[tim barclay]

You are the biggest competitor for the maori party vote and to some extent you want the green vote as well. That is why the relationship between National and the Maori Party is much more straight forward. National is not trying to go behind the Maori Party and steal its support whereas the Labour Party does.

[Tony Milne]

Labour/Green/Progressives just got an extra point on the "united opposition" score! Well done.

http://labour.org.nz/news/labour-greens-progressives-announce-inquiry-bank-profits

http://www.bankinquiry.org.nz/

[Doug]

Talking of points according to Roy Morgan Labour are now 30% and that's before the week from hell from Phil Goff.