Case of the IHC voter highlights why Labour and the Greens can count on getting some votes

“And when you’ve answered this one, we will want you to explain Labour’s capital gains tax.”

Alf shares the alarm of the family of an intellectually disabled woman whose carers are supporting her to vote in this year’s election.

The woman in question has the mental age of a two-year-old.

This means she is likely to cast her vote for Labour or the Greens.

In a sane world, she would not be allowed to vote at all.

But there are lots of daft people out there and, sure enough, her voting rights are being championed by disability advocates.

These advocates are supporting the woman’s caregivers’ actions, saying the voting rights of people with intellectual disabilities should be protected.

What’s that cry from New Plymouth? It’s a lament for the further dismantling of our democracy

It’s a struggle for the champions of democracy to stem the rising tide of co-governance arrangements that make a sham of electing our councillors and (before long, you can be sure) members of Parliament.

They have cause to feel like that Canute feller trying to hold back the incoming tide.

Trouble is, being a champion of democracy can’t be squared with the modern-day need to recognise that our indigenous people are special people.

Democrats expose themselves to the charge they are racist and reactionary if they resist proposals to appoint our special people directly to positions of power and influence in our governance arrangements.

They certainly have been chided by a New Plymouth city councillor for having the gall to resist giving local iwi members a very special place – and very special privileges – in the city’s decision-making system.