Hodgson tries the truth

Bernard Darnton notes a curious change in tactics from Labour "strategist" Pete Hodgson: telling the truth. In yesterday's Sunday Star (yes, I'm a day behind ... yes, thank you, it was a good weekend) Hodgson admits the central point of Darnton's case against the Labour Party's Pledge Card:

“...the public would say that it is clearly for political purposes - and for Christ’s sake, of course it is, you know?

“If it wasn’t we would put out a pledge card the day after the election not before it.”

Asked if that meant it was electioneering, he said, “Yes.”

So much for the voluble denials up to now, then. That admission should save a lot of court-time. Meanwhile, in the same report, comes news that Labour still intend to press ahead with law changes brough on by their claims of "confusion" over election spending:

Proposed changes to election campaign laws -- expected to include a ban on third-party funding and the use of anonymous trusts -- are with the government and due before cabinet within weeks...

If this isn't one of the greatest attacks on free speech in this country's history, then I'm a muslim. A "ban on third-party funding" means that you or I many not pay for ads that oppose the government during the election period. In the US, where they still know a bit about free speech, such proposals are called "speech rationing." Perhaps we should start seeing it that way here as well.

UPDATE: Generation XY has this photo (right) that pretty much sums up the efforts of Hodgson the "strategist": Ignoring the advice of pundits everywhere, when deep in the hole Clark and co refuse to stop digging. Head to Gen XY and suggest a caption. My contribution: "Clark and Co help dig their political grave. "

LINKS: Card was electioneering - Hodgson - Bernard Darnton
Yes, Labour's pledge card was electioneering Hodgson admits - Sunday Star
Speech rationing and mud-slinging - Not PC (Sept 22)

RELATED: Politics-NZ, Politics-Labour, Darnton V Clark