Names matter a lot. What should be the name of the new Conservative New Zealand political party?
But first we can cancel out existing names. Gone are New Conservatives, National, Labour, Greens, ACT, and Maori.
Trip down memory lane and a few candidates:New Zealand Party - Started by Bob Jones it contested the 1984 general election and did pretty well but didn't win any seats. In terms of share of the vote it gained 12.25%, which would make it kingmaker today. The name isn't currently registered, the party having fallen apart in the early 1990's.
How about then: OUR New Zealand Party.
Whatever the name it must be unifying, not divisive. So, out goes One Nation, Libertarian, etc. TOP is not a bad name the more you think about it (as a party can't say what they're like, its policies are too 'pure' in terms of economics to put it in a winnable position).
MMP is a funny beast and I think where all new parties have failed is they go straight for the 5%. A more practical approach is to attract popular local people to stand in seats and try to get in that way, by winning electorates. Think this can't be done? The Maori party have proved this works. Their electorate level campaigning is pretty good for a small party.
Membership: this new entity only works if it can attract 2,000 members. That provides a number in each electorate across the country. Think about covering people away on holiday, sick, etc., you still need to find people to agitate locally. I know 500 is the threshold but that just isn't enough. These members have to be paid up and active.
Policies: central policy planks would be
* written Constitution for NZ with embedded free speech and transparency of government (right to privacy);
* private property protected and pursuit of profit encouraged;
* Defence (what's the point in owning stuff or having free speech if anyone can take it off you);
* Rule of law and equality before the law;
* Right to education and healthcare;
* Build infrastructure (without a strong built environment there is no point in the abovementioned rights);
* Believe that the individual knows what's best for themselves;
* Family, neighbourhood, suburb, village, town, city, country in that order;
* Freedom of religion.
Input welcome.
Please contact me from the contact form over on the right there >>>>>>Thank you.
MMP is a funny beast and I think where all new parties have failed is they go straight for the 5%. A more practical approach is to attract popular local people to stand in seats and try to get in that way, by winning electorates. Think this can't be done? The Maori party have proved this works. Their electorate level campaigning is pretty good for a small party.
Membership: this new entity only works if it can attract 2,000 members. That provides a number in each electorate across the country. Think about covering people away on holiday, sick, etc., you still need to find people to agitate locally. I know 500 is the threshold but that just isn't enough. These members have to be paid up and active.
Policies: central policy planks would be
* written Constitution for NZ with embedded free speech and transparency of government (right to privacy);
* private property protected and pursuit of profit encouraged;
* Defence (what's the point in owning stuff or having free speech if anyone can take it off you);
* Rule of law and equality before the law;
* Right to education and healthcare;
* Build infrastructure (without a strong built environment there is no point in the abovementioned rights);
* Believe that the individual knows what's best for themselves;
* Family, neighbourhood, suburb, village, town, city, country in that order;
* Freedom of religion.
Input welcome.
Please contact me from the contact form over on the right there >>>>>>Thank you.
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