The Times Australia
The Times News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

The rise of ACT in 2020 highlights tensions between the party's libertarian and populist traditions

  • Written by The Conversation

New Zealand’s election is coming down to a simple contest between the Labour-Green bloc on the left and the National-ACT bloc on the right. Although the right is behind in the polls, if it were to gain the majority, ACT Party leader David Seymour could become deputy prime minister.

Either way, ACT is newly assertive. Although Seymour owes his Epsom seat to National’s grace and favour, he seems less inclined nowadays to be their political lapdog. He wants people to support ACT on its own terms.

Remarkably, the party has risen in opinion polls from below 1% to recently[1] as high as 8%. That would give ACT up to ten seats in parliament. Would Seymour also negotiate to bring one or more first-time MPs into cabinet alongside him?

In the past two elections, ACT held on with only one electorate seat, thanks to the National Party deal: Epsom’s National supporters agree to vote for the ACT candidate as their local representative but give their party vote to National.

This arrangement[2] goes back to 2005. It paid a handsome dividend in 2008 when ACT won Epsom and achieved 3.65% in the party vote. This delivered the party a proportional share of five seats, despite being below the 5% party-vote threshold.

With ACT’s support on the right, and two other parties in the centre, John Key formed a National-led government that lasted three terms. Then ACT’s party vote fell below 1% in 2014 and 2017, with only the Epsom seat keeping it in parliament.

In 2020, however, after a term in opposition and no longer overshadowed by National, ACT is flourishing again.

billboard advertising a politician David Seymour has held the Epsom seat under an informal deal with National, but will likely bring more MPS into parliament with him in 2020. GettyImages

ACT rises at National’s expense

Seymour has held his own, speaking up for freedom of speech and opposing[3] the banning of semi-automatic guns following the mosque shootings in March 2019. He introduced a member’s bill to permit euthanasia that is likely to come into force after a decisive referendum[4] to be held alongside the general election.

However, National leader Judith Collins has bluntly stated[5] she sees ACT’s job as being to win Epsom and to help eliminate the populist New Zealand First Party, which on recent polling is likely to be ousted from parliament on October 17.

Read more: The missing question from New Zealand's cannabis debate: what about personal freedom and individual rights?[6]

ACT’s rise in the polls[7] does come partly from those conservative erstwhile New Zealand First voters who are disillusioned with Winston Peters for forming a coalition government with Labour.

But Collins must be worried that some centre-right voters have given up on National winning and are exercising their freedom of choice by defecting[8] to ACT — and she wants them back.

The rise of ACT in 2020 highlights tensions between the party's libertarian and populist traditions Recent surveys show ACT picking up voters from National, Labour and the Māori Party. Screenshot/Newshub-Reid Research

What ACT supporters want

The Association of Consumers and Taxpayers[9] was founded in 1993 by former National cabinet minister Derek Quigley and Sir Roger Douglas, formerly minister of finance in David Lange’s Labour government and engineer of the economic deregulation that became known as “Rogernomics”.

The party stands for less government, more private enterprise and freedom of choice. It is therefore a child of neoliberalism — indeed, its only legitimate child.

Read more: Assisted dying referendum: people at the end of their lives say it offers a 'good death'[10]

For example, Seymour’s referendum bill to allow assisted dying (euthanasia) was officially named the End of Life Choice Bill[11], asserting its ideological origins with the word “choice”. He is proposing[12] much more radical cuts to public spending and taxation than his only possible coalition partner, National.

We gained an insight into how ACT supporters think from the online reader-initiated Stuff/Massey opinion poll[13] in July. Compared with the other parties in parliament, ACT supporters stand out as:

  • most likely to rate the New Zealand government’s overall response to COVID-19 as “unsuccessful”: 29.5% compared with 9.9% for the whole sample

  • most strongly in favour of abolishing the Māori electoral roll: 68.2% compared with 36.6% overall

  • more likely to prefer that the government take a “cautious and sceptical” approach on climate change: 72.5% compared with 36.4% overall

  • more in favour of the country getting back to “business as usual” rather than reforming the economic system itself during the post-pandemic rebuild: 75% compared with 31% overall.

The rise of ACT in 2020 highlights tensions between the party's libertarian and populist traditions Author provided Populist or purist? ACT supporters’ values are largely diametrically opposed to those upheld by Green supporters, as might be expected of a libertarian party that stands for individualism and deregulation. In the past[14], though, the party has resorted to populist law-and-order and anti-welfare policies. In 2011 it deployed the “one law for all[15]” slogan to attack policies addressing indigenous rights. As ACT leader since 2014, Seymour has steered the party back towards free-market liberalism. But there is still an element of right-wing populist thinking among ACT’s supporters. Sizeable minorities of them agree with conspiracy theories about COVID-19 (25%) and hope Donald Trump is re-elected in November (32%) — more than among National supporters who stood at about 20% on both points. Read more: NZ election 2020: survey shows voters are divided on climate policy and urgency of action[16] If current polling holds true, Seymour will bring with him into parliament a caucus of freedom-loving individuals, none of whom has any previous representative experience. Among them is a firearms enthusiast, a former police officer and a farmer. At number seven on the list is a self-employed mother of four[17] who the party claims “is better than ten ivory tower ‘experts’” when it comes to beating poverty. So far, ACT’s best election result was in 2002 when it gained 7.14% of the party vote and nine seats in the 120-seat House of Representatives. If it repeats that in 2020, Seymour will go from being a lone voice for his party to the leader of a small but inexperienced caucus. Managing that team of individualistic newbies may well be the first test of his libertarian instincts.

References

  1. ^ recently (www.newshub.co.nz)
  2. ^ arrangement (www.nzherald.co.nz)
  3. ^ opposing (www.newshub.co.nz)
  4. ^ referendum (www.referendums.govt.nz)
  5. ^ stated (www.nzherald.co.nz)
  6. ^ The missing question from New Zealand's cannabis debate: what about personal freedom and individual rights? (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ polls (www.newshub.co.nz)
  8. ^ defecting (www.newsroom.co.nz)
  9. ^ Association of Consumers and Taxpayers (www.act.org.nz)
  10. ^ Assisted dying referendum: people at the end of their lives say it offers a 'good death' (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ End of Life Choice Bill (www.parliament.nz)
  12. ^ proposing (www.act.org.nz)
  13. ^ Stuff/Massey opinion poll (www.massey.ac.nz)
  14. ^ In the past (www.nzherald.co.nz)
  15. ^ one law for all (www.nzherald.co.nz)
  16. ^ NZ election 2020: survey shows voters are divided on climate policy and urgency of action (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ self-employed mother of four (www.act.org.nz)

Read more https://theconversation.com/the-rise-of-act-in-2020-highlights-tensions-between-the-partys-libertarian-and-populist-traditions-147170

The Times Features

Why You Need an Expert Electrician for Your Business’s Electrical Upgrades and Repairs

When it comes to maintaining and upgrading your business’s electrical systems, it’s essential to call in a professional. Electrical work in any commercial setting requires the ex...

Why Is It Crucial to Have a Building Inspection Done Before Buying a New Home?

Purchasing a new property is a big financial decision that can impact your future for years. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an investor, good or bad, it is essential to en...

Online Application for Sick Leave Certificate: Understanding When and How to Secure One

A sick leave certificate is an official document issued by a healthcare professional to verify an individual's inability to attend work due to illness. It typically includes the ...

A No-Fuss Guide to an Effective Beauty Routine

Taking care of the skin and appearance need not be complicated; it need not even consume your hours of time. Smart and simple approaches can give one that glow and fresh look witho...

Safe & Effective Tattoo Removal in Auckland – What You Need to Know

If you're looking for tattoo removal in Auckland, modern laser technology offers the safest and most effective way to fade or completely remove unwanted ink. Whether it's an outd...

Fleece-Lined Tights vs. Regular Tights: What’s the Difference?

When temperatures drop, choosing the right pair of tights can make a significant difference in comfort, warmth, and durability. Whether you wear tights for fashion, work, or outdoo...

Times Magazine

The Ultimate Guide to Apple Watch Faces & Trending Wallpapers

In today’s digital world, personalization is everything. Your smartwatch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s an extension of your style. Thanks to innovative third-party developers, customizing your Apple Watch has reached new heights with stunning designs...

The Power of Digital Signage in Modern Marketing

In a fast-paced digital world, businesses must find innovative ways to capture consumer attention. Digital signage has emerged as a powerful solution, offering dynamic and engaging content that attracts and retains customers. From retail stores to ...

Why Cloud Computing Is the Future of IT Infrastructure for Enterprises

Globally, cloud computing is changing the way business organizations manage their IT infrastructure. It offers cheap, flexible and scalable solutions. Cloud technologies are applied in organizations to facilitate procedures and optimize operation...

First Nations Writers Festival

The First Nations Writers Festival (FNWF) is back for its highly anticipated 2025 edition, continuing its mission to celebrate the voices, cultures and traditions of First Nations communities through literature, art and storytelling. Set to take ...

Improving Website Performance with a Cloud VPS

Websites represent the new mantra of success. One slow website may make escape for visitors along with income too. Therefore it's an extra offer to businesses seeking better performance with more scalability and, thus represents an added attracti...

Why You Should Choose Digital Printing for Your Next Project

In the rapidly evolving world of print media, digital printing has emerged as a cornerstone technology that revolutionises how businesses and creative professionals produce printed materials. Offering unparalleled flexibility, speed, and quality, d...

LayBy Shopping