Swings and turnabouts

Unless the government reverses key policies - and Chris Hipkins replies to his letter - Jules Older will be taking his left-leaning vote elsewhere.

- Jules Older 

I vote in two countries, America and New Zealand. In the US I’ve voted Democrat, Republican and Independent. In Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve voted Labour, National and Green.

While that may look like I’m an undecided, wishy-washy voter, I’m not. My heart beats kindness; my mind thinks fairness. I’m naturally drawn to Democrats and Labour, not Republicans and National. But when my team fields a terrible candidate (it happened in New York and Dunedin), runs a terrible campaign (Vermont and New Zealand) or there’s an outstanding independent – Bernie! – I’ve made the switch.

And now it’s happening again. On May 13, I wrote the following to the Prime Minister:

Dear Chris Hipkins,

Here are the coming decisions that will propel me to leave Labour and vote Green:

1. If you do not start taxing the rich;

2. If you do not take meaningful action against vape shops;

3. If you continue breaking Jacinda’s unkept promise not  to further mine conservation land.