ANALYSIS: The tax switch which Chris Hipkins just killed off is a bread and butter Labour policy
It begs the question what is the point of Labour if even with this massive mandate it would not risk electoral punishment and stick to its morals of fairness
Behind the scenes, I'm hearing it was the risk of revolt from the farmers that wrecked this one.
While $5 million in wealth sounds like a lot to most New Zealanders, a bunch of dairy farms would've been captured and Hipkins didn't count on his ability to sell it in a close election campaign.
Clearly, there are a lot of Labourites who would love it, the Finance Minister included.
The Government is denying cracks in the Cabinet.
But in ruthlessly chasing the centre vote, it's snubbed its own party's principles and will have to do some serious serenading of the left to ensure voters don't flee to the Greens and stop its poll numbers falling off a cliff.
As soon as Hipkins returns from Europe next week, expect a policy blitz.
I'm hearing crime and tax are the first cabs off the rank.
With 94 days until the election, it's time for Hipkins to stop telling us what he won't do and finally say what he will.
Jenna Lynch is Newshub's Political Editor.
