Labour won the last election because of three key factors. Noelle McCarthy hoodwinked Don Brash into confessing that he knew about the Exclusive Bretheren pamphlet campaign (we don't monitor Noelle's writings and radio gigs simply because of her accent!), because they cleaned up in Wellington, and because they mobilised the Pacifica vote in South Auckland. Insight on National Radio looks at the battle for the Pacifica vote in 2008. It is well worth a listen.
The spin by Mike Williams could have been analysed a bit more critically. Likewise Winston Peters was treated too lightly. The Hive understands that Labour is facing huge problems with this constituency this time around, in Auckland and also in the Mana electorate in Wellington. Winnie Laban falling ill in election year (The Hive has huge admiration for Winnie and thinks it a great blunder that Helen and the cabal did not want her in Cabinet) could not have been worse timing.
When you couple this with a huge fall in support for Labour in the public service (Wellington Central and Rongotai) and the lack of any National linked bogey men this time around, Labour is moving close to panic mode.
