Bread, Circuses & Gang Selfies: Election Fallout

Former MP Simon O'Connor of Family First joins Andrew Urquhart to dissect the latest leaders' debate and a tumultuous week in the election campaign. O'Connor argues the debate descended into "bread and circus" theatre, with both major party leaders relying on auto-cue lines and pre-packaged talking points rather than genuine, off-the-cuff vision, reflecting a political class he says has become overly managed and disconnected from ordinary voters.

The pair also unpack the fallout from Green and Te Pāti Māori MPs' selfies with Mongrel Mob members, with O'Connor warning there's a clear line between engaging with gang members and celebrating a criminal organisation linked to serious violence and abuse. He suggests the backlash, including Chris Hipkins' swift distancing and apology over past government funding to gangs, could hurt Labour's coalition prospects, while cautioning that with polls still within the margin of error and MMP negotiations ahead, a final government may not be confirmed until well after election day.

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