Kia ora,
Labour – you should…
Replace the current president and secretary, replace anyone on the committee who’s over fifty.
Ditto all MPs. Over 50. Out.
Replace leader. If any MPs are found to be working against the voted in choice, they should be chucked out of the party – with great force. So choose carefully. Someone who’s got a sense of humour would be good. Unusual for the Labour Party, I agree, but David Lange managed, so not unheard of…
Take the next 12 months – maybe 18 months – meld yourselves into a cohesive unit and build a structure that will hold. Resist any pressure groups – just say, over and over – this is not about you, this is about survival.
Anyone over 50 to help but not make policy. Leave that to the 50year-olds and under. If they make mistakes, they make mistakes. You did.
Get the older ex-MPs to work in communities (they’ve been paid handsomely – now is the time to give something back). Form young Labour committees all over – in colleges, communities, Maori, Pakeha, Asian, Pasifika. Encourage, fund, and debate in these groups. Mentor only if invited – not as of right.
Pay young people to teach technological skills to all ages. Do not expect a return, do it because it will benefit all communities whoever they voted for.
Everyone, anyone, who has anything to do with the Labour Party – get some lessons on public speaking. I mean everyone not just the outstandingly truly appalling ones of whom there are too many. No-one is born with good communication skills, you need to work at them. Not spin doctor skills, not Shakespearean delivery, don’t proclaim – just talk to one person – the one behind the mic – the rest of us will listen in.
Start building for succession among the 30 year-olds. Now.
Suggest unions cull their committees in the same way. Some hope there – but I challenge Helen Kelly to lead this strategy.
There. That’s my recipe anyway.
It’s far too radical for you though and nothing I say will make you unclench those hands that hang grimly, so grimly, onto power.
Ma te wa, Renee
ps Could someone muzzle David Cunliffe? Please?
