The Country 11/08/25: Barry Soper talks to Jamie Mackay

Our political correspondent comments on the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, tonight's TV poll, Winston in high viz, Luxon cuddling Albo, Chlöe wanting to be Minister of Finance, and Willow-Jean Prime dropping the ball big time over education.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Barry's soaper on politics. Miss them on Friday. Barry Taxpayer,
the taxpayers union carrier poll out this morning has a
hung parliament. We've got another. So John Tullock, Winston's right
hand man, tells me a TV poll tonight. Is it
on TV one? What's the inside aill there?

Speaker 2 (00:20):
It will be TV one. Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it.
I guess you know, the hung parliament, but we should
reflect on their vote next year because we see Coe Swarbrick,
the co leader of the Green Party, declared that she
wanted to beat the Finance Minister in a new Labor coalition,
although she says it'll be a Green lead coalition. So

(00:44):
that's the alternative we're going to be looking at. Jamie.

Speaker 1 (00:47):
Well, I'm updating the passport, Barry. Mine expires actually the
end of next year, so if the election goes the
wrong way, I might just get out of the country
in time. Look, it's interesting. It's what did Belle Clinton's
economic advisor? I keep forgetting his name. You can remind
me the guy who came up with the saying it's
all about the economy stupid and that's what it's about.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Yes, it is, and you know, for anybody really to
expect now that the polls are going to be glowing
for a government even though promise promises were made before
they saw the full extent of the books and the
lead up to the two thousand and three election, nobody
should be surprised where they are at the moment. I mean,

(01:30):
if you think back and I was the other day,
when you reflect on polls the first year of the
longy Labor government with Roger Douglas, I mean, people went
through hell in that first three years and Roger Douglas
used to say short term pain for long term gain,
and they went to the eighty seven election goes it
overwhelmingly back into office. People should reflect on that because

(01:54):
there have been tough times before, there are tough times now.
And that's not to say that we shouldn't feel the
people that are suffering at the moment, but I think
personally looking at the way things are going better times
around the corner next.

Speaker 1 (02:09):
Year, Hey well Winston, you got a hand to him,
brilliant grandstanding over the high vers vest and the helmet.
I love one stone. Can I say that I shouldn't
really say that he's dead?

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Right? Well, you know the point that he made was
what is the point of me going on home? His
death on a train? I mean it's not a demolition
side hopefully. So I suppose that the tane did crash,
against all odds, they would find him easier, although if
they look for a pinstripe suit, I think he'd be

(02:40):
very distinctive in any train accident.

Speaker 1 (02:44):
Well, o, jen Prime, undescribable incompetence?

Speaker 2 (02:50):
Well absolutely, This woman has always been overestimated in politics
and my view that you know, she is very lucky
to be where she is. She was a a minister
in the Chris Hipkins government, don't forget and here she is.
Frequent officers are offered by Erica Stanford in the lead

(03:11):
up to the NCEA changers never replied initially, then finally
replied when all the decisions have been made, are so
much for consultation? And the call by Chris Hipkins in
particular former Education minister, I might say, saying that you
know we want to have a consultative approach to these
big decisions. Well they were off with one. What did

(03:33):
they do? They turned their backs on it and that
says a lot about a party that wants to go
its own way. And bugger the rest of them.

Speaker 1 (03:40):
Okay, Barry, let me be clear about this. To a
paraphraseer Prime Minister. Does he get the optics wrong cuddling elbow?
Or am I just too old school?

Speaker 2 (03:49):
Well you are too old school. I mean these people,
these men have known each other for ten years, Jamie,
and I've given you the odd hug on the odd occasion.

Speaker 1 (03:58):
But we're family, Barry.

Speaker 2 (04:00):
But we're Southern boys too, and I'm a hugger, I've
got to say so. You know, I think exactly Chris
Luxon did what he should have done to an old mate.
And they knew each other outside of politics. They've been
pretty good mates over the years. What's wrong with our hugger?
Then get your own house and order.

Speaker 1 (04:21):
Well it's me told off. Thanks Pez, I'll catch you
back on Friday, Jamie,