Francesca Rudkin: Here's one thing I don't love about elections

So we are off and running. After saying I felt political parties have been in campaign mode since the beginning of the year, they officially are now Parliament has adjourned.   

I enjoy a general election.  

I like the banter, the contest of ideas, the showmanship, and how politics and politicians come to the people. It’s a bit more exciting than watching Parliamentary TV on a quiet Tuesday afternoon. It’s also a bit silly. On Thursday evening driving into Auckland CBD I sat at a large intersection where 15 National supporters were enthusiastically waving signs.  

I loved the enthusiasm but I have no idea what they were hoping to achieve -  maybe just remind people of the local candidate’s name, maybe someone was counting the number of honks? If nothing else it was entertaining.  

But yesterday I was also reminded of what annoys me about elections. It’s how election campaigns are run, it’s what parties do to entice our votes – but still, it’s annoying.  

And that’s when a party announces a policy that makes sense and you think - why didn’t you just do that ages ago? I felt that way about Labour’s announcement of basic free dental care to all New Zealanders up to the age of 30. We know New Zealanders are not going to the dentist due to cost and this is a solid first step in making dental care more accessible.  

Policy at election time is determined by the here and now – what is impacting New Zealanders  today, where the economy is at, and what are seen as the current important issues. The 2020 election was a prime example of this, with the election result simply an endorsement of how the Government dealt with COVID.     

But there’s also the practical appeal of what could be called bribes - like removing interest of student loans, enabling more people to get dental care, and an early childhood education subsidy.   

These are particularly galling if the policy comes from the party that’s in power leading into the election. After 6 years at the helm, I don’t think this will be the only Labour policy which has people scratching their heads and asking why it wasn’t done earlier.  

Sure, they made earlier steps towards making dental care more affordable for those on low incomes or on a benefit, and that was a welcome step – but no matter how they try and distract us with something new, Labour this election will be judged more on their record than what they’re promising.  

Better late than never only applies if you get back in power. 

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