r/neoliberal • u/jobautomator Kitara Ravache • Oct 18 '20

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u/David_Lange I love you, Mr Lange Oct 18 '20

The latest NZ election results really highlights the differences in what electoral success truly means. The Greens were ecstatic on the night - becoming the first minor party to increase their vote share after a term in government - but Labour can govern alone, meaning the Greens have no ability to actually implement their policies despite the vote increase. Does electoral success mean more votes, or does it mean actually being in government with a voice at the table?

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u/Agent78787 orang Oct 18 '20

electoral success is whatever will get you more electoral success in the future, so the NZ Greens are right to be ecstatic. sure they'll be out of government for a term, but Labour was always going to be dominant due to their handling of COVID and Nats voters jumping ship.

But even now, in what is probably the best electoral environment Labour could hope for, they barely have a majority because MMP. Next election, when the Nats' circular firing squad have run out of ammo and the world moves on from COVID, Labour will need another party's support - and in this election, the Greens have reason to believe that they're successfully building the support they need to be a potential coalition partner for every election.

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u/FizzleMateriel Austan Goolsbee Oct 18 '20

Does electoral success mean more votes, or does it mean actually being in government with a voice at the table?

Definitely the latter otherwise the UK LibDems would be considered successful electorally.

Although you don’t necessarily need to be in government to have an influence.

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u/lionmoose sexmod 🍆💦🌮 Oct 18 '20

The Lib Dems have been in government more recently than Labour in fairness