Okay, NZ's election is tomorrow (Saturday the 8th of November, yes only 3 days after Uncle Sam's..) and I've no idea who I'm going to vote for.
We use a proportional system known as MMP. Wikipedia explains it pretty well, so I won't go into much detail. Basically, we get two votes - one for a local/electorate candidate, and one for the party we want to win. A party's share of the party vote determines how many seats it gets in parliament, and a single party or coalition of parties must have the majority in order to govern.
I've decide who my electorate vote is going to, but want opionions on my party vote. Some of the choices:
Major parties:
National - historically conservative, now centre-right. The "businessperson's party". Our equivilant of the republicans, but more liberal. Currently polling 45-48%
Labour - historically liberal, now centre-right. The "worker's party" *. Our equivilant of the democrats. Currently polling 30-35%. Currently forming the bulk of the NZ government.
Minor parties:
NZ first - anti-immigration, pro-elderly, polling 2-3% but historically have polled up to 14% or so.
ACT (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers) - pro-privatisation. In favour of a minimal government, fond of big business. Poll around 1-2%
Greens - pro-environment. Poll 5-10%
ALCP (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party) - they want to legalise weed.
Those are the only options I'm considering. If you're bored enough (read: not sick of politics after all the Obama/Hillary/McCain talk) and want to know about some other options, click here.
Or, alternatively, should I just stay at home and get drunk instead of voting?
* There is another party called "the workers party". Prior to 2008 they were called the Anti-capitalist alliance, and I won't be voting for them as I think they're dipshits.
We use a proportional system known as MMP. Wikipedia explains it pretty well, so I won't go into much detail. Basically, we get two votes - one for a local/electorate candidate, and one for the party we want to win. A party's share of the party vote determines how many seats it gets in parliament, and a single party or coalition of parties must have the majority in order to govern.
I've decide who my electorate vote is going to, but want opionions on my party vote. Some of the choices:
Major parties:
National - historically conservative, now centre-right. The "businessperson's party". Our equivilant of the republicans, but more liberal. Currently polling 45-48%
Labour - historically liberal, now centre-right. The "worker's party" *. Our equivilant of the democrats. Currently polling 30-35%. Currently forming the bulk of the NZ government.
Minor parties:
NZ first - anti-immigration, pro-elderly, polling 2-3% but historically have polled up to 14% or so.
ACT (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers) - pro-privatisation. In favour of a minimal government, fond of big business. Poll around 1-2%
Greens - pro-environment. Poll 5-10%
ALCP (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party) - they want to legalise weed.
Those are the only options I'm considering. If you're bored enough (read: not sick of politics after all the Obama/Hillary/McCain talk) and want to know about some other options, click here.
Or, alternatively, should I just stay at home and get drunk instead of voting?
* There is another party called "the workers party". Prior to 2008 they were called the Anti-capitalist alliance, and I won't be voting for them as I think they're dipshits.
