Well, well, well! Why on earth are we surprised?
[Source: Roy Morgan New Zealand Single Source. January 2020 – February 2022}
In order to become and remain the Government in New Zealand, a political party must be popular. The decisions they make, regardless of whether they are technically right or not, determine their popularity.
I had suggested in my last BLOG, ‘Appalling Behaviour in the Playground or Just Oppositional Politics?’, the COVID Pandemic provided an opportunity for a more collaborative and productive approach, e.g., a Pandemic Governance Committee comprising representatives of all parties in Parliament, which could have worked as a forum contributing, debating, critiquing, identifying the most appropriate path forward and hopefully reaching a consensus. (https://ingeoffsopinion.blogspot.com – 31/12/21)
What has transpired is of course well documented in the print and social media which might be summarised as:
1. We accept the Government’s attempts to save us from the pandemic – until we have decided we have had enough of being told what to do.
2. The most significant opposition party which had been busy eating its leaders suddenly becomes more popular - because the Government isn’t anymore.
3. We get bored with people we saw as heroes - then we pillory them.
4. The Government is criticised from all quarters – loses popularity.
Not surprisingly, the Government got the message about their significant drop in popularity through the polls. They react to the concerns and make rapid decisions to try and ease the stress on the People.
That is momentarily lauded then…. “In the last few days the Labour Government has come in for criticism for its panicked pandering to opinion polls… This was in response to pressure from opponents and the public … and following a poll showing Labour behind National.” (Bryce Edwards; Political Roundup)
The Government’s actions were labelled “cowardly...cynical and reactionary” by Jack Tame (TVNZ/Newstalk ZB) who also noted, “Once again, Jacinda Ardern's Government has shown it's more interested in doing what is popular than what is right.” The website Interest.co.nz asked economists for their view on the reforms – “political, reactionary, poorly targeted, short-termist and interventionist,” summarises their responses.
And that is it in a nutshell really. It doesn’t matter which party is in Government, they must maintain voter popularity rather than do what is right to stay in power. If it shouldn’t be that way, then we the voters, will have to change our behaviour to influence a changed performance.
