Foreman would have similar views in politics as I have, that being one of Social Liberalism. If you do not know what Social Liberalism then look it up in Wikipedia and while you are there Wiki ‘Common Good.’
But while I have made it long known that I am a Social Liberal some rather interesting situations come about.
Social Liberalism is Centre Left yet from 2003 until just before the election thanks to my electorate MP Judith Collins I was a member of the Young Nats, and the National Party. Just a note that when I resigned from National I left a clause in there leaving it open for me to return to the Party if two conditions were met. So far one has been met.People find it odd of me being a Social Liberal belong to the National Party until recently. This is most likely I got along with other members well and they were more accommodating than those of the Labour and Green Parties. I don’t know what it was but something left me cold with Labour and the Greens and it still does today even with National ballsing up as is at the moment.
That said I also get along with Centre Left people as well but I have noticed more of recent that they have left Labour or the Greens just as I have left National. The point being my values allow me to interact with both sides and often forge solutions using Best of Both Worlds pragmatism. Hence while I do believe in a hand up for those in need I am also a believer of a good old fashioned boot up the arse to get them motivated as well as some days the boot is needed to give that person a realisation and break them out of self pittying wallowing.
So that leaves the question if I were to run for an Auckland Council Governing Body decision how would my political values play out.
It is complex as Local Government transcends the typical Left Right paradigm in Central Government politics. For one I would be quite a strict Fiscal Conservative and looking for new ways of boosting the revenue stream without resorting to constant rates rises. The method I am looking at seriously is through Council becoming more proactive in development and leaseholding to gain a good stream of rental income especially from Metropolitan Centres and City Centre sites (if they stop selling the damn Land off first).
City Building wise I factor both social and physical infrastructure in where as the right wing seems to be blind on the social stuff.
So this means balanced development across the city with roads, your rubbish services, your parks, your libraries, and some cultural events there and there. The Mayor’s Spatial Priorities to which I have looked at before I would serious run with in targeting the bulk of investment in Auckland Building but at the same time not forget everyone else. Of course the Spatial Priorities are rotated every 5-7 years.
As for Planning? Well another post as I am meant to be looking at on how I am a Social Liberal. Oh wait that means liberalisation of the Unitary Plan. Heh there you go.
So there you have it. I am a Social Liberal who gets on well with both sides but find National more warm than Labour and the Greens.
Oh and I think I just did a soft launch on my bid for Council 2016.
“Where do you stand politically?” – Reader
Simple question? No. It is about the most complex question one can be asked, in a political sense, and I have found myself answering it a lot more since I stood up on my online soapbox and started giving the world my views.
Well, let me see. Overall I would classify myself, perhaps unsurprisingly, as slightly left of centre.
I have been called to the right of President Reagan by people on the hard left (thanks Kate Davis @ The Daily “Faily” Blog) and to the Left of Hone Harawira by my dear old right leaning brother.
I would call this a centrist victory, but I suppose, as has been put to me, it is not really for me to define the nature of my political views and to place myself on the spectrum. I, as a fledgling public figure am simply to…
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