Tēnā koe Prime Minister,

#WinElections would like to thank you for reaching out for our advice. As global consultants, we are accustomed to our help being commissioned immediately after leaders struggling in the polls utter the telltale phrases, “polls always bounce around a bit”, and “the only poll that matters is election day”.

If you turn to the first slide, it asks: How would I beat myself?

Let us suggest an answer.

• Your opponents will remind voters that your Government promised to fix the economy, but spent its capital rearranging the order of te reo and English on passports.

• You promised to bring down the cost of living, but voters had to remortgage the house to buy butter.

• You promised strong, competent government but... well, you get the picture.

We disagree with your critics who claim you are not being bold enough. Just this month, you got rid of NCEA, modernised petrol tax, brought back gas, and added more cops. When we say “you”, we mean Erica, Chris, Shane and Mark. For a conservative Government, whose values are rooted in prudence and stability, this is a pacy agenda.

What you are missing is an authentic story about what the Government is doing. Change always requires taking on those who are invested in the status quo. A successful leader cannot be popular with everyone. Tony Blair said being loved by the people is a wonderful thing, but it isn’t the objective of governing. “Making change which improves their lives materially, economically and socially. This is the purpose.”

The root cause of political instability is the failure of governments to deliver. You must deliver not only your own priorities, but voters’ too. Delivery requires results, not just announcements.


Jose's Post column is here.