So there's a new party launching itself into the New Zealand scene, and it's calling itself "The Conservative Party".
They even have a test to see how conservative a voter you might be.
My first impressions are that the questions they ask are notable by what's missing as much as what they've put up. Very limited range of topics, and very slim dimensions taken, with sometimes two different ideas in the same question, making it hard to answer the question directly.
The first press release I read was a general winge about being over-taxed:
I am also opposed to the never ending cycle of increased taxation and bigger spending. With 3 tax increases (Emissions Trading Scheme, increased GST rates and cancellation of ability to claim depreciation on buildings) by the current government along with increased compliance costs (Unit Titles Act 2010) there is an ever growing burden on the New Zealand tax payer.
and the profile of the over-taxed person, Colin Craig:
Colin Craig is a New Zealander. He was born and raised in Auckland where he now lives with his wife and daughter. He has been a successful business man starting five businesses and his current company manages property worth 1.3 billion dollars...
speaks again of money, not Conservatism.
Not the opening gambit I would have gone with had I been launching a Conservative Party. On this basis they will allow the media to cast them as another ACT or "far right National". On the other hand, a new party entering into the political scene with a nod to Conservative values is a welcome event.
I'll have a further look later.
They even have a test to see how conservative a voter you might be.
My first impressions are that the questions they ask are notable by what's missing as much as what they've put up. Very limited range of topics, and very slim dimensions taken, with sometimes two different ideas in the same question, making it hard to answer the question directly.
The first press release I read was a general winge about being over-taxed:
I am also opposed to the never ending cycle of increased taxation and bigger spending. With 3 tax increases (Emissions Trading Scheme, increased GST rates and cancellation of ability to claim depreciation on buildings) by the current government along with increased compliance costs (Unit Titles Act 2010) there is an ever growing burden on the New Zealand tax payer.
and the profile of the over-taxed person, Colin Craig:
Colin Craig is a New Zealander. He was born and raised in Auckland where he now lives with his wife and daughter. He has been a successful business man starting five businesses and his current company manages property worth 1.3 billion dollars...
speaks again of money, not Conservatism.
Not the opening gambit I would have gone with had I been launching a Conservative Party. On this basis they will allow the media to cast them as another ACT or "far right National". On the other hand, a new party entering into the political scene with a nod to Conservative values is a welcome event.
I'll have a further look later.