Tracy Watkins is editor of the Sunday Star-Times.
OPINION: Politicians always seem to think there’s some sort of hocus pocus behind picking an election date.
Helen Clark, for instance, used to keep everyone guessing up to the last minute; it was a combination of thinking it would give her the jump on her opponents ahead of the traditional six-week campaign (it didn’t), while wanting to capitalise on good news (like winning the Rugby World Cup).
But playing games with the date usually had the opposite effect of creating ill will amongst voters because it created uncertainty.
John Key dealt to that by moving to announcing the date at the first cabinet of the election year, a tradition Jacinda Ardern has maintained.
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