Day 29-Philosophical Interlude: A New Green?

I was a little concerned, 213 years ago when this campaign began, that the Greens were going to call this their 'Clegg' moment, their Lib Dem push from third party comparative obsolescence to main stage 'playas'. Not because the Australian system doesn't require such a third, competitive force in both the upper and lower house, but because the Greens aren't ready, and that might otherwise harm a party that will hopefully become something more significant in the next several years.

Big Bad Bob- Via News.

The Greens have become a more significant, measured party in recent times, but retain a reputation of a reactionary party who don't yet have a suite of policies to appeal beyond their base. In many ways, that's ideal- they're passionate and bold, and like or loathe them, their position is clear. But, since the demise of the Democrats, we have lacked a cohesive voice that can occupy the centre left. It'll take some sidestepping, but the Greens could occupy that space, and we'd be the better for it.

Thing is, Bob Brown, for all his commitment and poise, is looking tired. Not tired enough to be put to pasture, but too tired to start a big push. The push toward proper third-party action, and for the Greens to possibly temper some of the policy angles which will always thwart their cause, requires a new face.

To seriously to compete for lower house action, they might consider a subtle re-brand. Brown would need to pass the baton, thereby proving that it is possible to handball leadership in a dignified manner. To whom is the question, for Scott Ludlam lacks gravitas, Christne Milne possesses a voice that strips paint, and Sarah Hanson-Young occupies a space between the two- her appearances on Q&A this year have left her looking minor.

Able deputy Clegg.

The Lib-Dem/Tory coalition is a thing that is worth watching. As excited as planet Earth was for Obama, his presidential story so far is much of a muchness- a difficult congress, a fuddled record, an inability to sell the good work that has gone on. But the British coalition is an emerging case study in the potential redundancy of partisan politics. It's early still, but this kind of Government might provide an interesting study in this nation, as more and more become disengaged by the two majors. There's only a 1000 flaws in my argument, but, do we really think that things are working out with the Labors and the Liberals?