International Socialists

Don Brash's election campaign was the biggest threat to ordinary New 
Zealanders in a decade. Aware that he could never win an election by 
openly campaigning on his real pro-business agenda, Brash tried to 
hide it behind a smokescreen of Maori-bashing, tax bribes, and 
hypocritical "family values". Despite millions of dollars in 
advertising, Brash failed to fool workers and students.

The media says that the election results show a shift to the right. 
The reality is that the results show the divide between between the 
well-heeled and the working class. Before the election, the media 
predicted a working class backlash against Labour's "politically 
correct" liberalism. Blue collar voters were supposedly convinced by 
National's tax promises. But it was the middle-class and farmers who 
were sucked in by Brash's racism and tax bribes.

But though workers and students may have voted against Brash, we 
should expect no loyalty from Labour. This government will cut 
health, welfare, and education spending as the economy moves into 
recession. The only way to improve living standards is to organise 
and fight for ourselves - for pay rises at work, and against fee 
rises in education.

If you are interested in the outcome of the election, then come and 
contribute to the discussion.