Originally founded by exiles from Labour’s neoliberal wing, it is now an important part of the new right-wing coalition government in Wellington.
The undoubted prestige of having an Irishman in a leading global role would be offset by potential short term political pain, not welcome at any time but especially in a potential election year.
Republican challengers are putting their own egos ahead of any coordinated effort to beat the former president, whilst any move against Biden are likely to come later, at the Democratic National Convention.
Apparent progress on employment and the cost of living is largely smoke and mirrors, whilst crime, border security, and his failed constitutional referendum don’t get a mention.
If National are to comprehensively balance the books and leave room for the investments in infrastructure and public services that need to be made, nothing less than swingeing cuts will be required.
It looks like there is a deal to be done where the proposed $60 billion package is paired with major reform of America’s porous southern border.
In domestic policy, we are headed for the real deal. Trump’s campaign staff have been briefing for months that, this time, deep state officials will not stand in their way.
Many Irish policymakers make the reasonable point, if it’s a simple matter of tax rates, then why haven’t more countries simply adopted this approach? It has been in place for decades, there’s been plenty of time.
Like the UK, the country is struggling with the issue of what can be done about unlawful non-citizens who cannot currently be deported and have committed serious crimes.
This difference is not just attitudinal – there is a lot more space in the States for one thing. But absent in the British mindset, at least at the moment, is this hunger for more, this urge to grow, that embodies the American psyche.
There’s only one possible government in the new parliament – but negotiations between National, ACT, and New Zealand First are dragging out.
So far only one city, Limerick, has endorsed the new model, with Cork and Waterford both rejecting it. A Mayor of Dublin could be a powerful national figure – but will national politicians be prepared to cede the powers required?
The new Speaker of the House of Representatives must tread a tightrope – getting Democrats on side without alienating his divided Republican colleagues.
Our Atlantic partners might be a bit mad, but they still care – about their country, about its future. Polarisation has its many negative effects, but one of its positives is its ability to galvanise that passion.
The No advocates believed that instead of creating an entirely new body at an additional expense, Canberra should fix the bodies that already exist by reviewing what is and isn’t working.