Should Labour Govern Alone Or With The Greens?
In 2020 NewZealand held its general elections and Labour came through with 65 seats in parliament, and the ability to form government by themselves. However even with the choice to form Government is Labour willing to add other parties in Government for the benefit of NewZealand? Labour although having the ability to Govern alone have clear areas of alignment with the Green Party. NewZealand could potentially benefit from a shared governance between the Greens and Labour as there is cross over between their economic, environmental and social policies. More shared cooperation could help grow a more sustainable NewZealand.
One of the clear areas of alignment between the parties is around the Greens transportation plan of creating more accessible and affordable public transport options. Including added investment into trains, buses and more. Not only does this cater to the general public, it's environmentally conscious due to it taking down the use of individual vehicles. More investment into transport creates many new job opportunities, which leads into our COVID recovery.
The Greens are pushing a greater focus on health and environment. This could be helpful to Labour with more cross-party support around key social and environmental policies. For example both parties in depth plans for housing that correlate well with each other.
Labour focussing on improving access and affordability with job creation and is putting an emphasis on Maori lead solutions. The Greens are also looking at access to housing, with great focus on the quality of housing to reduce cold damp homes. Housing is an issue that requires cross-party support to create more quality and accessible housing.
Labour and The Greens also have in depth plans for the rainbow community. Having more accessible help and care open for the community. The two also plan to abolish conversion therapy, which has been since carried out by Labour. The two parties also plan to implement more security and safety for LGBTQ+ students with gender neutral bathrooms. Ensuring that there is a safe space to talk in schools and opening more opportunities for transgender poeple to transition.
Although the two parties have many ideas that correlate together there still may be disagreements between them. With COVID-19 exposing wealth inequality amongst NewZealanders, The Greens plan to raise taxes for those in the top 6% of earnings, however this idea is not strongly supported by Labour. The wealth tax is seemingly controversial among the general public and the government. The wealth tax has been a topical area within the public since the co-governance was speculated.
Co-governance between the two parties could work to create a healthy and safe NewZealand. The two parties working together would not only benefit NewZealanders but the world as a whole, as many are now looking to NewZealand for inspiration. Co-governance between the two parties will lead into a positive period for NewZealand under the leadership of Labour and The Greens.
