Ryan Bridge: The issues we care about

We have a new issues poll out this morning. 

It's from IPSOS. 1000 people. Was taken after Waitangi weekend. 

The numbers are bad for National, because they should be winning on more issues. 

But Luxon won't hate the numbers because they're going in the right direction of a few key issues. 

A significant increase on Cost of Living - after a period of trending in the wrong direction. 

Another 'significant' increase on healthcare/hospitals- closing the gap from 19 to 12 points since October. 

After being overtaken on the economy, they've come back to draw with the reds. 

Interestingly, concern from voters about poverty and inequality is trending down - despite the big push in the media last week. 

The reality is that Labour is still ahead on three of the five issues. 

But no election is won or lost on a single issue, is it? Although Covid in 2020 and cost of living in 2023 were dominant. 

What the election will come down to, as I've always said, and everyone already knows, is Winston Peters. 

He has told me that he will not form a government with Labour if 1. Hipkins is in charge. And 2. it needs propping up by the Greens or TPM. 

He says they're nuts. 

So, as long as the polls, stay roughly where they are, the National party strategists will stick largely to the same script and wait for Winston at the alter. 

Barring, of course, nay campaign snaffus that might get any of the above into trouble and offside with us, the voters.

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