lyndons_lyndon
Banned
The rapid rise of Don Brash to the National Party leadership was a suprise to the traditional Socially Conservative wing of the Nats. Bill English had been ousted by a former Governor of the Reserve Bank, whose Economically Liberal and Fiscal Conservative anti-PC outlook appealed to a minority of the New Zealand population. His Orewa speech and other statements on the subject of refugees and Muslims only served to solidify the political position of the National Party in the polls, to the resentment of the governing Labour Party. Promising personal tax cuts and frugal budgets by June of 2005 the press had already predicted a handsome swing to the opposition. The idea of Asset Sales was quitely shifted to the political wilderness, assuring the public that it would not be considered until "at least" the next term. Further concessions came in the form of parental leave and the commitment to universal health protection, removing the legacy of the "Ruthanasia" from dinner discussion.
But Brash however, refused to clarify his position on the Iraq war in the well known interview with reporter Duncan Garner. Other controversial remarks included statements such as when he was directly asked "Who are the ideal immigrants?" replying "British immigrants fit in here very well. My own ancestry is all British. New Zealand values are British values, derived from centuries of struggle since Magna Carta. Those things make New Zealand the society it is". By the 17th of September (election day) National was comfortably ahead in the polls and thus he later won the election in a great political upset, though only winning two more seats than that of Labour.
International events
William Hague after becoming gradually dissatisfied with his colleague, Ian Duncan Smith ran in the expected leadership election and later won with support in the Parliamentary Party. One of his challengers, Michael Howard became his shadow Foreign Secretary. The run up to the 2005 general election was one of anguish and disaster for Blair, the obvious news that WMD was non existent and his lack of empathy for public concerns caused his polling rates to drop ruinously. His Chancellor of the Exchequer was well aware of this and was ambivalent, as he had public ambitions of his own. The negative chemistry on television between the two key framers of NewLabour. The resulting election upset for the history books was the general election in the United Kingdom, in which the incumbent Tony Blair failed to win his third term regardless of the fact he had made it clear he would resign in favor of his chancellor before the next election. The continuing Iraq war and the recent terror attacks in the London underground, along with a vast array of promises on immigration along with tax cuts prompted an angry electorate to sweep the Conservative opposition to power with a large mandate. Brown quickly rallied his supporters within the party winning the leadership candidly with virtually no organized opposition.
Meanwhile in New Zealand Don Brash was settling into his job as leader of New Zealand, his Finance Minister, John Key was confident that his promised 3.8 billion dollar tax cuts would have little to no effect on the budget. With one exception, that he must consider increasing GST to 15% to offset the immediate effects of cutting personal tax rates. He was also appointed member of the Executive Council, his first moves in tax included cutting the top marginal rate from 39% to 33% within three years, this ultimately did not effect his popularity. For a time National remained relatively high in polls, modest changes in immigration policy and his delivery of the 4-week annual leave proved to be a successful electoral mix.
His government also continued the negotiations for a free trade agreement with China and was aa public advocated the Trans Pacific Partnership or "TPP". Upon entering office approaches were made with the ACT Party and United Future with confidence and supply agreements being reached, though United Future would withdraw in 2006 after the Nicky Hager revelations. However, his comments about the New Zealand - ANZUS relationship caused mistrust about his views on the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone along with his commitment to New Zealand troops remaining in Afghanistan until 2011 when it would be reviewed. But rumours of a future challenge from his Finance Minister John Key caused tense relations between in the two, he did however, due to the success and popularity of Key felt compelled to allow him to retain his position in the government, and thus became more influential within cabinet.
More controversy during his early premiership was the fraught relationship between himself and indigenous leaders and politicians in the 2006 Waitangi ceremony his entrance was blocked, later refusing to participate in what he called "A ceremonial travesty" and later criticized "Entrenched racial separatism". He also reneged on his promise to abolish Maori seats due in part to accusations of racism.
On the 13th of September 2006 rumours of a extramarital affair was leaked the press as a confrontation between himself and a party colleague surfaced, the MP, that being Brian Connell, who confronted him was later demoted from the cabinet. Further complications about his alleged association with Christian evangelical groups led him to publicly to rectify these accusations, all of which he denied.
But Brash however, refused to clarify his position on the Iraq war in the well known interview with reporter Duncan Garner. Other controversial remarks included statements such as when he was directly asked "Who are the ideal immigrants?" replying "British immigrants fit in here very well. My own ancestry is all British. New Zealand values are British values, derived from centuries of struggle since Magna Carta. Those things make New Zealand the society it is". By the 17th of September (election day) National was comfortably ahead in the polls and thus he later won the election in a great political upset, though only winning two more seats than that of Labour.
International events
Meanwhile in New Zealand Don Brash was settling into his job as leader of New Zealand, his Finance Minister, John Key was confident that his promised 3.8 billion dollar tax cuts would have little to no effect on the budget. With one exception, that he must consider increasing GST to 15% to offset the immediate effects of cutting personal tax rates. He was also appointed member of the Executive Council, his first moves in tax included cutting the top marginal rate from 39% to 33% within three years, this ultimately did not effect his popularity. For a time National remained relatively high in polls, modest changes in immigration policy and his delivery of the 4-week annual leave proved to be a successful electoral mix.
His government also continued the negotiations for a free trade agreement with China and was aa public advocated the Trans Pacific Partnership or "TPP". Upon entering office approaches were made with the ACT Party and United Future with confidence and supply agreements being reached, though United Future would withdraw in 2006 after the Nicky Hager revelations. However, his comments about the New Zealand - ANZUS relationship caused mistrust about his views on the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone along with his commitment to New Zealand troops remaining in Afghanistan until 2011 when it would be reviewed. But rumours of a future challenge from his Finance Minister John Key caused tense relations between in the two, he did however, due to the success and popularity of Key felt compelled to allow him to retain his position in the government, and thus became more influential within cabinet.
More controversy during his early premiership was the fraught relationship between himself and indigenous leaders and politicians in the 2006 Waitangi ceremony his entrance was blocked, later refusing to participate in what he called "A ceremonial travesty" and later criticized "Entrenched racial separatism". He also reneged on his promise to abolish Maori seats due in part to accusations of racism.
On the 13th of September 2006 rumours of a extramarital affair was leaked the press as a confrontation between himself and a party colleague surfaced, the MP, that being Brian Connell, who confronted him was later demoted from the cabinet. Further complications about his alleged association with Christian evangelical groups led him to publicly to rectify these accusations, all of which he denied.
Hague's dilemma
The first year of Hagues Premiership was mired in the Iraq war as the violence escalated there, the strong electoral mandate seemed redundant as he struggled to implement the agenda set fourth in the 2005 Manifesto. His initial tax cuts and strong measures against immigration inspired virtually no confidence, his mediocrity was further convoluted by his support for the policies of George W. Bush and his "War on Terror" though he did initially remain first in a series of polls. Continuing increases in immigration ultimately led him to suggest annual limits to control the influx.
In the defence area he assured NATO officials that the United Kingdom would remain committed to the alliance and would pledge to reach the annual goal of 2% of GDP to be allocated for defensive purposes. A similar approach to the war in Afghanistan saw the number of personal being expanded, while its role in Iraq was to be eventually withdrawn by 2007. He also forged strong links with the Commonwealth and beyond, reiterating Britain's role within the Commonwealth as a security partner, which was disparaged by the opposition as "Fanciful". In terms of ideology, Hague identified as a One-Nation Conservative espousing both Economically Liberal and Socially Conservative views. The basic principles of his foreign policy was in tandem of that of his predecessor, which included promoting democracy and interventionism in the third world, though he was careful to avoid the stigma of "Poddleism".
In the defence area he assured NATO officials that the United Kingdom would remain committed to the alliance and would pledge to reach the annual goal of 2% of GDP to be allocated for defensive purposes. A similar approach to the war in Afghanistan saw the number of personal being expanded, while its role in Iraq was to be eventually withdrawn by 2007. He also forged strong links with the Commonwealth and beyond, reiterating Britain's role within the Commonwealth as a security partner, which was disparaged by the opposition as "Fanciful". In terms of ideology, Hague identified as a One-Nation Conservative espousing both Economically Liberal and Socially Conservative views. The basic principles of his foreign policy was in tandem of that of his predecessor, which included promoting democracy and interventionism in the third world, though he was careful to avoid the stigma of "Poddleism".
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