Summarised by Centrist
Sir Roger Douglas writes that the challenges faced by New Zealand’s Labour Party after the 2023 general election reflect the need for political renewal, open-mindedness, and the courage to rethink policy issues.
Imagination is a catalyst for change, says Douglas. The recent government’s approach of hoping that taxing and borrowing as a means to prosperity has failed. “Hope really was the operative word,” says Douglas.
Instead, the focus needs to shift toward individual decision-making and empowerment, he says. This would involve returning money to the people for education, healthcare, and welfare, thereby reducing government control.
“The time has long past when civil servants pay no price for getting the big issues wrong,” he says.
