What does it mean to be a conservative? What does it mean to do conservatism? Conservatism isn't a rigid ideology or 100 page manifesto that one can pick up and read for the definitive answer.
When I first saw the New Conservative launch in 2018, I panned the idea. The "new conservatives are just as boring as the old" was my response. I didn't expect to hear from them again, but then something unexpected happened.
Liam Hehir, Stuff's token moderate, has decided to call it quits. His reasons are fairly noble: he wants to spend more time with his family and having to write a weekly column is too much pressure.
This is the fifth episode of the Right Minds Podcast, hosted by Dieuwe de Boer and Jesse Anderson, with special guest Elliot Ilikei, recorded on the evening of Tuesday 7th May, 2019.
Last Thursday, Elliot Ikilei, the deputy leader of the New Conservative Party logged on to his Twitter account to find out he had been suspended from the platform. What was his crime? Did he say something hateful or dishonest?
The weather really turned it on for the rally in Christchurch's vibrant Cathedral Square. A balmy day with a gentle cooling breeze that set the multitude of New Zealand flags held by the supporters alight, set the scene for what turned out to be a marvellous family-oriented enjoyable event.
Since the New Conservative Party was holding a public meeting in anticipation of contesting a possible Botany by-election, I thought I'd go have a listen as I live in the area. The turnout was a near full house, with almost every one of the sixty-odd seats filled.
And I'm not just talking about the latest poll. While Monday's poll does bolster my arguments it doesn't change anything. Even if National and Labour's fortunes were reversed, the right still wouldn't have a path to victory. Allow me to explain.
When the New Conservatives initially debuted, I was sceptical. Yet they've been working overtime to prove me wrong. Most recently they've received the attention of the DailyBlog who's been getting a bit worked up about them.
One man, New Conservative deputy leader Elliot Ikilei, cut through the lies of the media in a quest to discover the truth. On the issue on free speech, it is clear that the New Conservative party is rock solid.
