Chris Trotter and Conspiracy Theories

Chris Trotter, well known political analyst and media commentator of the left, has made some bizarre claims about the Green Party. His suggestion that a coalition deal between National and the Greens is not that unlikely drew this response from me and the following discussion:

     Me
     I can imagine Key making that call, but when trying to imagine Russel (or Metiria)
     making a positive response, images of flying pigs and frozen flames come to mind
     instead.....


     Chris

Well, bsprout, I think you need to give your imagination a bit of a workout.

Ask yourself why the Greens have, over the past three years, very sweetly, but quite ruthlessly, purged themselves of their left-wing MPs?

Ask yourself why their image managers have consistently repositioned their leaders as mainstream, non-threatening, politicians?

Ask yourself why their conference, flying pigs and frozen flames notwithstanding, refused to rule out a coalition agreement with the National Party?

Believe me when I say that, having asked yourself those questions - and answered them honestly - you will read my posting in a very different light.

August 9, 2011 10:37 AM

Me
Oh dear, Chris, I think you are showing your age. You appear to be defining what constitutes a leftwing politician based on a generational image, not on substance or intent. To claim that the Greens have “...quite ruthlessly purged themselves of their leftwing MPs” is laughable, when all that is occurring is a changing of the guard to the next generation.


If one considers our youngest MPs and candidates, like Gareth Hughes or Holly Walker, their passion for social justice, supporting stronger leadership from the state and advocating for the disadvantaged is no different from before. The leftwing of earlier generations (60s, 70s and 80s) defined themselves through protesting, placards and police confrontations while those of the current generation operate differently.  Our youngest Greens are extremely well educated and highly skilled at debating policy and the minutiae of the legislative change process, to organising street demonstrations and social networking. These same young people share the same kuapapa as those before, have been mentored by their senior Green MPs and have the utmost respect for the likes of Sue Bradford, who they hold in high esteem.

If you were inferring that Sue Bradford’s resignation is proof a deliberate strategy to rid us of the more strident activists of the last generation then why has Catherine Delahunty jumped from eighth to fourth on our list?  You also ignore our membership driven process for electing our leadership team, the plotting and coups that define leadership change in other parties have no place within the Greens. Your conspiracy theory has no basis in fact I’m afraid, Chris.

I was also highly amused at your statement “their image managers have consistently repositioned their leaders as mainstream, non-threatening, politicians?” To imply that somehow Russel’s and Metiria’s image is softer and less threatening than Jeanette’s and Rod’s (really?) has meant you have somehow missed the passionate and cutting performances that often defines their speeches in the house.

Your suggestion that because the Greens will consider a coalition with National is a sign of a substantial shift within the party demonstrates a lack of understanding of our history and culture. The Greens have been in parliament for over 15 years and have built up considerable experience and institutional knowledge. We have never been in government and have watched many minor parties’ demise through coalition agreements with considerably larger partners. While we have already achieved much through memorandums of understanding or agreements in areas of common ground, entering into an agreement on confidence and supply is an entirely different matter. The fact that we spent considerable time at our last AGM debating the wording to describe the likelihood of a coalition with National with in a range from “unlikely to “never” speaks volumes. To totally reject considering a coalition with anybody could actually demonstrate a lack of confidence in our ability to decide on any offer on its merits and accept or reject it as we wish.

To be open to an offer of a coalition with National is actually a sign of political maturity and growing confidence. We don’t need a coalition with anybody to be a successful political force and if National wishes to form a coalition with us they would need to significantly change their policies and how they operate, perfectly possible, but highly unlikely.