Labour’s Showing In Polls (Press, 12 March 1986)

In a letter published on 12 March 1986, Varian J. Wilson expressed concerns regarding a noticeable decline in support for the Labour Party in New Zealand, attributing it to the party's perceived neglect and the ongoing suffering of the poor. Wilson pointed out that while the wealthy continued to prosper, particularly those who profit from high-interest loans, the plight of the less fortunate was being ignored. He suggested that usury, or the practice of charging excessively high-interest rates, had become a significant issue in the country, characterising it as New Zealand's largest industry. Wilson argued that the Labour hierarchy had overlooked the traditional moral values held by older members of the community, who still valued decency. He critiqued a faction within the party, which he described as fanatical, for prioritising homosexual law reform at the expense of these moral standards. Wilson felt that this group had transformed what should have been a matter of personal conscience into an aggressive political agenda, effectively making it a government policy. He lamented that this shift had diminished the role of conscience within the Labour Party. His letter reflects a broader concern about changing social values and how these changes impact political affiliation and support for the Labour Party. Wilson's viewpoints foreground the tensions between progressive social movements and traditional moral perspectives within the political landscape of New Zealand during this period.

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