Today On The BFM Wire - Dr Don Brash/Scoop

Today on The Wire

12:20 - Mayor John Banks talking about spitting in Auckland, getting re-elected and public transport.

12:45 - Dr Don Brash -Leader of the National Party. Man of the moment in the polls - but still high on rhetoric and low on specifics.

1:10 - Alister Barry - Documentarian and Roger Awards judge. The Roger Award for worst Transnational Company was announced last week.

1:30 - Alastair Thompson of scoop.co.nz - In the House.

1:45 - Mark Easterbrook with the Book Review.

Show Intro:

To the great concern of friends, family and loved ones I thought it was great news when Dr Don Brash took the National leadership.

Not, mind you, that I'm a National supprter, No, what I liked was that a contest of ideas loomed.

Ideas have been somewhat lacking in politics in the last 5 years. Not since the electorate rejected the 90s and voted in tax increases with Labour has the general direction been questioned. Excepting the voiciferous anti-GE movement everything has been ok so the attitude has been leave it with Labour.

One of the reasons Labour has been able to coast is that there has been no real opposition in parliament. This means no group to effectively challenge and temper Labour's ideas. Whatever your opinion of the party in power the reason we have an Opposition is to do just that. For evidence of this lack think back to just after last election when the opposition parties couldn't even work out amongst themselves where to sit, and who to call Leader of the Opposition, very schoolyard and not at all confidence building.

It has been in this environment that Labour has been becoming ever-so-comfortable and annoyingly we-know-best. Last year, as a symptom of this Helen Clark started referring to herself in the third person, a habit usually reserved to royalty and dictators, and even complained that she was a victim of her success as a competent and modest Prime Minister.

Funnily enough we are not hearing that anymore. That is what happens when you can be called to account.

The disturbing thing is that the reversal in Labour's fortunes and the start of a contest of ideas has come about after one speech by Dr Brash that doesn't have many solid ideas and the ones it does have are somewhat unpleasant.
So, what is the story?

Do these poll changes show that most of NZ is fed up with perceived Maori advantage or just fed up with Labour? I say perceived advantage because all the real indicators, like wealth, health and life expectancy show a distinct lack of Maori advantage.

But anyhow. What do you reckon? We've got Dr Brash coming on at 12 45 and until then please send in via text 955, email - studio@ 95bfm.com or telephone 309 3879, your questions and what you'd like answered.

- Simon Pound

ENDS

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