Election 2020: Can Pacific voters, loyal to Labour, expect more from the Government this term?

Sunday, 18 October 2020

Labour came out with a huge initial lead and never let it go as the votes came in. Here's how election night unfolded.

OPINION: The Labour Party’s emphatic win in the 2020 general election is both a blessing for loyal Pacific voters and a burden of expectation.

Like the city of London in the post-apocalyptic novel Mortal Engines, Labour’s political machine moved through the country swallowing electorates in a Covid-19 spume.

National MPs in the electorates of Upper Harbour, Northcote, Hamilton East, Hamilton West, East Coast, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Ōtaki, Wairarapa, Hutt South, Nelson and Ilam were all rolled over by Labour’s machine and are likely still in shock. Labour, confident of a win, was not expecting so many scalps and the large party vote swinging from the right.

Blue turned blood-red. The death of political aspirations for the losers and a new life in Parliament for the winners.

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AUT Lecturer Richard Pamatatau says it’s time for National to move beyond talofa and take the Pacific blue vote seriously.

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In and of itself that’s politics win some, lose some, hang on for dear life, rejoice that you were loved enough to get back in.

Pacific voters have consistently delivered votes in the best and worst of times for Labour. Should the loyal voting bloc expect more from Labour this term?

It’s a brutal game, and for some, after they clear out their desk it’s about finding a job, just like many of their fellow citizens whose income security has been disrupted by Covid-19.

But set against this seismic shift are the electorates and associated voters who have stayed true to Labour, and in particular a Pacific bloc who have consistently delivered votes in the best and worst of times for the party.

Are they entitled to ask for more?

With the Pacific population increasingly recognising its value, how far will it push to secure more from a Government already challenged by a global pandemic, changing geopolitics and a slate of missed targets to cite just a few matters? That’s the thing about being educated – it makes people, Pacific people, want more.

Clark Gayford, Jacinda Ardern and Kelston MP Carmel Sepuloni on election night at the Auckland Town Hall. Sepuloni, of Samoan, Tongan and NZ European descent was the Minister of Social Development in the last government.

Rome was not built in a day but the failure by successive governments from the left and right to engage in a courageous conversation with the Pacific community means this Government had a lot to do in the last term. And still has.

Let’s assume for the moment the so-called Pacific vote is a sure bet. For Labour, it begs the question, what is the minimum it can do to retain support of this cohort?

Adjacent to this is how much would Labour do, if a decision was made to meet Pacific aspirations and what might that look like?

And if, for the sake of an argument, how much would non-Pacific voters tolerate it before they say what about me and also expect a reward for voting Labour? Particularly the new right-leaning voters who helped cement what, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says, is a clear mandate.

It’s a difficult balancing act that will challenge the Labour team who have to keep more people happy from across the political spectrum.

Talk to any of those recognised as leaders in the Pacific community and the refrain is consistent. The community wants more recognition for its loyalty. What could that look like?

There is a view with some South Aucklanders, particularly those from Aupito WiIliam Sua’s Mangere electorate that his portfolio, Pacific Peoples, should be inside Cabinet.

That seems like one easy wish to grant – you know – decisions are made at the top table.

Then there is the Pacific-specific camp. The mantra goes for Pacific by Pacific, more in the budget for the Pacific community.

How much is enough, not enough, this year, next year? And how will the bang for the buck be measured?

Let’s accept there is a talanoa, a conversation to be had where the many competing ideas can be parsed.

Let’s accept even though Labour has been given a strong mandate to govern that it has to invest its newly earned political capital wisely. In three short years it will be 2023 and another election will be upon us.

Given the Pacific population is one of many after recognition, what’s going to be important is how it floats the merit of its requests and how they are met.

There is no question of Pacific loyalty, but those new right voters to Labour, perhaps voting on behalf of the health of their lungs from coronavirus might have something different to say.

Either way, sometime after the morning after the morning after, the Pacific voters and the party they support must find the sweet spot that paves way for better living.

Richard Pamatatau is a Communications Studies lecturer, AUT University, Auckland.