Here's the latest from the UK media. Looking at the comments, someone asks why they don't vote her out. The reply comes that the electorate had the chance, and then voted her back in with a record majority:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-Ardern-announced-harsh-new-restrictions.html
It's true she came back in with record majority and could subsequently show her true colours, but she's a different beast since then. Before her supporters voted her in it was kindness, lockdowns and stamping out covid. It seemed like it was going to plan, and nobody knew as much about Covid and there was talk of a vaccine coming, so a large chunk of the country voted her back.
She also benefitted from the fact we didn't have a strong opposition. In fact National had their lowest backing since 2002. So a number of people shifted to minor parties.
Since getting back in: Delta, more lockdowns, vaccine rollouts, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, spiralling gang problems and violence, tourist and entertainment industry dying, now Omicron, boosters for children, more mandates, more ridiculous laws, division in NZ like never before. Basically, the lack of leadership or plan has either been exposed or it's going the way of Build Back Better. Take your pick.
So just some context, no excuses though. I've never voted for her. I knew in the early days of Covid when she encouraged people to rat on their neighbours for breaking regulations it was going to be dark days ahead.
You'd be mad to think she's anywhere near the popularity she once had. You only need to look how Facebook and the NZ Herald actively censor comments when it comes to NZ covid stories and Labour. The tide has turned in a big way mainly due to the vaccine mandate and Omicron arrival......but will anything change?
Remains to be scene where exactly our breaking point is.