The Bikers Political Party

[avgas]

Imagine if all that thought like that would vote for this biker party... There would be some scared politicians around!!!

Yep.
Issues on the agenda would simply change to whom gives the bigger tax cut.
Oh hang on.....

[Conquiztador]

Yep.
Issues on the agenda would simply change to whom gives the bigger tax cut.
Oh hang on.....

I forgive you and your lapse of focus.

We would go in with a few biker issues that we want sorted, the ones that all bikers can agree on. See, currently there is heaps of crap going on at the gummint level. That would not change, but we would have a few things our way. Then next election a few more. Then the one after that a few more. Before you know it EnZeed would be the best place to be a biker! And with a country like this so it should!

Right, need a couple of hours sleep before we ride to Paeroa.

Later

[NONONO]

and National, the party of "Hike the Levys...then hike them some more"
would love to see this happen.
How many Edmunds and Heneriettas do you think would swap their Nat vote for a BURP vote?
"Oh I say Edmund, those bikie chappies are getting somewhat of a raw deal, doncha think? Maybe we should cast our votey thing for BuRP".......

[Hitcher]

A single-issue political party is a waste of time.

And given the tribalism inherent in the biker community, it's hard to see Honda and Harley riders in the same room, let alone them lining up to hug scooter riders.

[Fatt Max]

A single-issue political party is a waste of time.

And given the tribalism inherent in the biker community, it's hard to see Honda and Harley riders in the same room, let alone them lining up to hug scooter riders.

Yep, fair point,

But if it got the 500 members it required, put itself up and scored some votes, that would go some way to demonstrating a point......maybe, I dunno. I was up for this a while back but yes, there is so much division it seems almost futile to imagine a united support.

Still, if someone wanted to kick it off I would support it, just to take votes off the other lying, scheming bastards.

Maybe that is what Idleoodleayy-ee-doo is planning...??

[Hitcher]

A successful Biker Party has to have something meaningful to say, not only to bikers but also to all other voters. After all, there are more of them than there are of us.

As for the 500 members bizzo, remember the Christian Parties and the effectiveness they've had over the years transforming New Zealand's political landscape.

It's time for a reality check, people. The Bikoi should be a sage reminder of that.

[Oakie]

A single-issue political party is a waste of time.

Glad someone else said that. The ' Legalise Cannibis Party' is an example. Way more dope smokers in the country than the 40,000 bikers but in the last 3 elections they only scored:
2002 .6%
2005 .2%
2008 .4%
of the overall vote. (That's 'point 6, point 2 and point 4 of a percent.)

Reality check. If BRONZ were the only bikers rights organisation in the country and were to stand canditates in the next election, how many bikers do you reckon would vote for them?

Not knocking the OP at all for having the idea. Just saying....

[jafar]

Maybe we are going on about all this the wrong way?

Maybe we keep telling our self the wrong things?

Maybe we would be a force so strong that other parties would shiver?


Why not start a Biker Party?
We would easily get the numbers needed to get the OK. (500 members needed)

Then that all already have a political alliance/leaning has nothing to do with it. The argument often thrown around is that as the biker community only has one thing in common: Bikes, it would not work.

But after some consideration I actually tend to differ.

Who on here can with hand on their heart actually say that the ones they vote for 100% stand for their view/opinion? I recon there would not be many. Therefore, we tend to vote for the ones who do stand for the things that matter to us.

So my logic here says that if we started a Biker United Party and only worried re issues that are important for bikers we could get enough votes to make a difference.

We would be up front re that we don't have an opinion re mining, free trade, GST etc.
But we would clearly state that we do have a clear standpoint re wirecutters, ACC levies on bikes, rider training, drink drivers, import taxes on bike parts and so on.

Now, feel free to shoot me down...

The idea has merit, the reason the Maori party exists is because they got organised, they are making a difference for their voters & are very public about doing it. 20 years ago if anyone had suggested that the maori party could exist they would have met the same arguments that are coming up in this thread. Too many divisions, narrow focus etc. The reality is that they now DO exist & are making a difference.... No reason we can't do the same. It will take a lot of organising & teamwork to get it to the next elections though.

[superman]

Glad someone else said that. The ' Legalise Cannibis Party' is an example. Way more dope smokers in the country than the 40,000 bikers but in the last 3 elections they only scored:
2002 .6%
2005 .2%
2008 .4%
of the overall vote. (That's 'point 6, point 2 and point 4 of a percent.)

Let's get this right... you're comparing the voting of people who find cannabis one of the most important parts of their lives to bikers. Plus they'd have a conflict of interest with the Green Party who steal a lot of pro cannabis votes for those that would even put in the effort to vote.

Bikers I imagine are much more willing to vote for a party that is defined specifically to a major part of their lives. You can see from the pro cannabis smoke outside court days that the majority of weed smokers wouldn't show up... but would bikers show up to demonstrate against ACC increases? Fuck yes they would. It's a much higher spirited bunch that wishes to take action.

If this thing actually gets up and running you'll have my vote. As a youth I'm expected to vote for some minority party anyway.

[Oakie]

Let's get this right... you're comparing the voting of people who find cannabis one of the most important parts of their lives to bikers.

No. Just showing the traction a one issue party gets.


EDIT: I wonder how different the buzz a dope head gets from his joint is to the buzz we get from negotiating a nice set of twisties? Dope or Biking. Is it really just a drug of choice?

[Oakie]

You can see from the pro cannabis smoke outside court days that the majority of weed smokers wouldn't show up... but would bikers show up to demonstrate against ACC increases? :

Difference is that the huge majority of dope smokers aren't so silly as to partake in an illegal activity in public.

Anyway ... we slide off topic.

[superman]

Difference is that the huge majority of dope smokers aren't so silly as to partake in an illegal activity in public.

Anyway ... we slide off topic.

Hmmm what percent of bikers illegally break the speed limit on public roads?...

[Conquiztador]

I agree that there would be similarities to Legalise Cannabis and other minority parties that have been started for one (or a couple) of issues only and never got past the thresh-hold.

At the same time there would be many similarities to the minority parties that have managed to do this. Clearly the two successful ones being Greens and Maori party.

It is really a little like owning a bike; we all have our preferences. One would never ride a cruizer, others laugh at sport bikes. Then there is the brand loyalty: HD has its supporters (and 99% of them would never be seen on anything else), there is the 4 Japanese manufacturers that all have their devoted supporters. Ducati, BMW, Triumph and list goes on.

Think about this: If someone who wants to start a new make of bike had same attitude as the ney sayers on here (nobody wants a new make, they have all already settled for theirs. It is doomed before I even start) we would not have any new ones coming up. Two successful resent ones that straight away comes to mind: Hyosung and Victory.

And also: To vote for Legalise Cannabis is not something many in a suit/with a family/taxpayer would admit to. But I bet that if you had voted for the Bikers Party you would happily admit to that no matter who you are.

But I suppose there is only one way to find out...

[superman]

The first consensus party to hit NZ shores. Whereby matters are discussed instantly on an online forum to help aid political decisions rather than people just be voted in to make the decisions. Everyone helps make the choice... sounds like European governments (not England). And how politics really should be. Could show NZ exactly how much better a consensus government would be instead of having little kindergartners bickering away at eachother.

[oneofsix]

to vote for a bikers party would be an excuse to get the bike out to go for a ride. the cannabis smokers probably don't know what time it is until Sunday (at least those that would vote for the cannabis party) and then they are too busy feeding the munches.

Serious. Road safety, workable ACC, drink driving etc it would be more than a one issue party but a common focus, like the Greens. Heck the Greens got the anti-smacking law through amongst other non-"green" laws.