ACT struggled thanks to the two-horse race, the approach taken by some media, and the behaviour of our coalition partner. But we are ultimately the author of our own result, writes the Epsom MP and ACT leader This is the second in a series of extracts from the new VUP collection Stardust and Substance. Read Jacinda … Read more
Watching the New Zealand election from London, Jono Hutchison is getting a bit of déjà vu. What follows is a cautionary tale of two conservative governments picking fights with human rights. Bill English and Paula Bennett yesterday announced a big crackdown on methamphetamine and gangs. The plan came with a big price tag – $82 million … Read more
Ahead of tonight’s ‘More than a Pretty Face’ event in Wellington, Angela Meyer and Anna Dean of the Ace Lady Network shuffle the deck and read the fortunes Let’s preface this by saying there’s an occult show on at City Gallery Wellington. We’re over the endless polls and a great deal of male commentary which … Read more
The Gone By Lunchtime team returns, with more hot takes than a jalapeno thief. In the latest medium-intensity-hitting Spinoff politics podcast, Toby Manhire is joined by Annabelle Lee of The Hui and Ben Thomas of Exceltium to sigh, pontificate and radio-jingle on a range of subjects including a dramatic UK election and what it means for New Zealand, … Read more
The former Labour communications chief talks to Toby Manhire about being proven wrong by Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May’s ‘catastrophic’ deal with the DUP, and the chances of a Tony Blair comeback. Tomorrow: Campbell on the Lions tour As spin doctor in chief for Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell became a massive presence in British politics – not … Read more
A selection of responses from those who had said it was simply unthinkable that Jeremy Corbyn could lead a Labour election revival. The UK Labour Party might have finished second in the snap election at the end of last week, but Jeremy Corbyn carried the air of victory throughout his weekend media appearances. By contrast, … Read more
What the hell just happened? The Guardian’s Richard Adams attempts to make sense of the shock UK election outcome. The UK election result is the biggest upset of conventional wisdom since, well, last November. After Trump, the Brexit referendum, Leicester City winning the premier league and the 2015 UK general election result you’d think we’d … Read more
The Lions are here and the UK is counting votes in a momentous general election. This week, it’s got to be a quiz about Great Britain and Ireland. The best of British luck to you! Having trouble viewing the quiz? Take it here.
By the logic of politics the real surprise was that the UK prime minister hadn’t called a snap election earlier, writes the Guardian’s Richard Adams. In the end Theresa May’s decision to call a snap election was a surprise but not a shock. A surprise because May herself had repeatedly and unambiguously ruled out calling … Read more