Labour and National are forever trying to convince us that they are miles apart ideologically, and that it therefore makes a big difference which one of them is elected to lead the country. Therefore it's refreshing when any of their advocates drop the guise and tell the plain truth. Sunday Star-Times columnist Matthew Hooton has been a political and media strategist for Don Brash and John Key has written a column where he admits (or in his thinking 'celebrates') the new policy consensus. His comments are worth quoting at length.
Although National's constantly paints Labour as being economically socialist and ruining the neoliberal economic reforms, Hooton says that actually, 'With the exception of industrial relations, Labour has done almost nothing to change the legacy of Sir Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson, and even the 1990 benefit cuts remain in place'. Likewise, he admits that National in government would have reformed less than it suggested: 'Institutions like the Human Rights Commission and TVNZ newsreaders saying "kia ora" were always safe, even under a Don Brash-led government. US aircraft carriers were never going to anchor off Rangitoto. Every MP rejoices when a treaty grievance is resolved'.
Although citing some minor differences on issues like law and order, Hooton makes the following summary:
Roughly speaking, our main political figures have reached a consensus: they're right on economics, left on social issues, green on the environment, "independent" on foreign policy and stand for justice-without-guilt on treaty issues. Even on tax, the defining policy issue of the 2005 election, Bill English and Michael Cullen are both committed to ongoing cuts. Key appears completely relaxed about the unions' dream of the minimum wage reaching $12 an hour.
Hooton calls this all 'Hertz-vs-Avis politics', and says we're only headed for more of it in 2007.
