The one thing that worries me is that Pingree and Mills are both over 70, meaning they could realistically not serve for very long. Is there anyone on the benches that isn’t over retirement age or two steps away from switching parties?

But also things in line with the ideology of every Labour government in history (except for the 4th, but on social policy even that govt legalised homosexuality & abortion and introduced treaty principles in legislation)

In the last few months I think I've started to understand why Labour is keeping Chippy. He needs to speak up this year, but his refocus is probably the right approach and I think Kieran McAnulty would have minimal impact if it risks the unity of Labour.

They have made a genuine effort to accept minorities and to make move towards amnesty for Assad’s allies and supporters. That’s a big difference to the Taliban and why it’s more up in the air.

I don’t mean the rebellion although props to you I did not see that coming. I mean the form of government that will be formed after the dust has begun to settle.

They fought against ISIS as well. They were a rebel (rebelling against Assad, it’s in the name) faction during a war so there are extreme elements. They haven’t been extreme in governing Idlib. They are replacing a very very low bar. My point is - we will see, right now it’s anyone’s guess.

They haven’t yet held power. This could go either way. At this stage it’s pointless to guess whether they’re genuinely moderate or the next taliban.

National has always mostly hedged on treaty issues. Key and English saw a benefit to building a broad base of support by incorporating people like Finlayson and te Pāti Māori under Turia. Chris Luxon tried but gave it up when he saw a majority from division. They will go the way the wind blows.