March 2022
How backbench MPs could make a difference.
25/03/22
"On current polling, however, about a quarter of the Labour caucus will lose their jobs at the next election. Fifteen or 20 MPs who came in just 18 months ago will be out.
Let me talk to these about-to-be-ex-MPs for a moment: Does anyone outside your family even know you were elected?"
Josie has some advice for those MPs in her Stuff column.
Let me talk to these about-to-be-ex-MPs for a moment: Does anyone outside your family even know you were elected?"
Josie has some advice for those MPs in her Stuff column.
Don't give tax cuts to those who don't need them.
11/03/22
Josie's Dominion Post column about the National Party leader's State of the Nation speech here.
Winter is coming. War in Ukraine will push energy prices higher, and energy costs flow into everything that is transported. Russia and Ukraine are dominant exporters of wheat, so bread will go up. Interest rates will rise to keep a lid on inflation, which means the cost of a mortgage (and rents) will increase.
If you aspire to govern then you need a better plan for these conditions than one that has the credibility of Soviet fiscal pixies.
If you accept that subsidies to help in a crisis are necessary, you also have to accept that someone has to pay for them. Promising tax cuts at the very moment the bill for helping comes due is the playbook of a leaden party doctrine, not a party serious about governing.
A party that encourages higher house prices and more speculation in this economy is not serious about governing.
Winter is coming. War in Ukraine will push energy prices higher, and energy costs flow into everything that is transported. Russia and Ukraine are dominant exporters of wheat, so bread will go up. Interest rates will rise to keep a lid on inflation, which means the cost of a mortgage (and rents) will increase.
If you aspire to govern then you need a better plan for these conditions than one that has the credibility of Soviet fiscal pixies.
If you accept that subsidies to help in a crisis are necessary, you also have to accept that someone has to pay for them. Promising tax cuts at the very moment the bill for helping comes due is the playbook of a leaden party doctrine, not a party serious about governing.
A party that encourages higher house prices and more speculation in this economy is not serious about governing.
People power shames governments into action
04/03/22
Josie's Stuff column on the public reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine is here.
‘’I need ammo. Not a ride.’’
President Volodymyr Zelensky's courageous refusal to evacuate, and his straightforward call for more help as Russian tanks rolled in, helped to mobilise the world. It’ll be one of the great quotes of the century.
If countries want to enjoy the benefits of global trade, sports and investment, then they should agree to a minimum standard of behaviour. Civilised countries should exclude human rights abusers and genocidal maniacs. We don't need to trade only with democracies, but excluding war criminals, expansionists and murderers is not setting the bar too high.
Corporates around the world are rightly being required to observe environmental, social and corporate responsibility standards. One of those standards should be a bar on commerce with outlaw countries. The punishment for dealing with Russia should be more severe than the punishment for a moronic tweet. Toughen up cancel culture.
‘’I need ammo. Not a ride.’’
President Volodymyr Zelensky's courageous refusal to evacuate, and his straightforward call for more help as Russian tanks rolled in, helped to mobilise the world. It’ll be one of the great quotes of the century.
If countries want to enjoy the benefits of global trade, sports and investment, then they should agree to a minimum standard of behaviour. Civilised countries should exclude human rights abusers and genocidal maniacs. We don't need to trade only with democracies, but excluding war criminals, expansionists and murderers is not setting the bar too high.
Corporates around the world are rightly being required to observe environmental, social and corporate responsibility standards. One of those standards should be a bar on commerce with outlaw countries. The punishment for dealing with Russia should be more severe than the punishment for a moronic tweet. Toughen up cancel culture.
