Labour received a battering at Ratana township yesterday as National and the Maori Party continue to bask in popularity after more than a year in office together.
Labour was challenged to reciprocate the loyalty shown to it from Ratana for decades by accepting four Ratana candidates for winnable positions in Parliament - on the list.
To rub his nose in it, Labour leader Phil Goff had to endure a speech praising Prime Minister John Key for being "a brilliant speaker" and "a person who should be admired".
Oh dear! So much for Phil Goff's flying start to the year; it would seem that the wind has already been taken out of his sails, and by Labour's former allies, no less. If one were to be REALLY unkind, one might suggest that Phil Goff and Labour's prospects for 2010 are about as hot as Wellington's summer has been - which is, of course, not very!
7 comments:
Much as I enjoy a chuckle at the expense of the Labour party, I must admit to being a little bemused by this Ratana thing.
It's a religious movement vaguely based on Christianity, started by a self-proclaimed maori prophet, who put a lot of of effort into improving the lives of his followers and then moved that into the political arena. Have I got that right as a thumbnail?
If so, what exactly is the difference between Ratana and the Destiny Church?
Brian Tamaki.
James - the "Ratana Accord" between the Labour Party and the Ratana church/whanau goes back to 1925 - to the era of Harry Holland. The Ratana website says:
"Relation between Ratana and Labour
The relation between the Ratana Movement and the Labour party originally stems back to 1925, with the young vibrant Harry Holland a member from the newly formed Labour Party. Wiremu Ratana’s Aunt Mere Rikiriki his uncle Inia Ranganui, Rangi Mawhete saw a means for Maori to have a voice which the party seemed sympathetic to the Maori concerning the Treaty. By May 1927, with key components setup, Ratana was able to enter into the Ture Tangata (physical) aspect of his work, the political arena. This paved the way allowing him to investigate and implement his strategies for the ratification of the Tiriti o Waitangi, Mana Motuhake and rights and privileges to manifest for all Maori through Government Legislation. (Editor WM No.53 Te Tai I, March 28th 1925: pg20) "
This basically guaranteed a significant bloc of votes, and up until 1993, the Maori seats were a stronghold for Labour. Under Helen Clark's leadership however Maori deserted Labour after Helen Clark arguably deserted Maori.
I was just wondering what set Ratana apart from any other cult with political aspirations, such as Destiny or even the Brethren that copped such stick from Clark & Co.
The only differences I can see are the length of time they've been around and the actual political clout they've achieved.
Labour seems to loathe religion, especially the one this country was founded upon. As for Key being a 'brilliant speaker', I think that is stretching the truth. Goff speaks much more clearly, and is also 'to be admired' whatever that is supposed to mean.
anon - get a psuedonym.
Key is in the ascendancy Goff is in decline.
People listen to Key, no one cares what Goff says.
What 'people'listen to Key? The Herald and his Caucus? Get a life, PDM, because I do not listen to Key. (and he does not listen to referendums...)
Helena
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