Labour’s Nasty Streak Laid Bare as MPs Swear and Sneer at Seymour
Labour’s Nasty Party reputation is well-earned, and no amount of crocodile tears will wash it away. Next time Russell or Webb feel the urge to swear, they should try coming up with an actual argument.
Labour’s mask slipped again this week, revealing the snarling, spiteful face of New Zealand’s self-proclaimed “party of kindness.” At a tense select committee hearing, Labour MPs Deborah Russell and Duncan Webb couldn’t resist hurling profanities at Acting Prime Minister David Seymour, only to grovel with apologies once the cameras caught them. It’s a classic Labour move: act like thugs, then play the victim when called out. This is the Nasty Party at its finest, and Kiwis are sick of it.
The scene unfolded during Parliament’s scrutiny week, where Seymour, standing in for Christopher Luxon, faced the Finance and Expenditure Committee to defend his Ministry of Regulation’s budget. Barely had Seymour begun his opening remarks when Russell muttered “for f***’s sake” under her breath, loud enough for National MP Ryan Hamilton to raise a point of order. Not to be outdone, Webb later accused Seymour of “making s*** up” over flour dust regulations, only backing down when challenged. Both MPs issued mealy-mouthed apologies, but let’s be clear: they’re only sorry they got caught.
This isn’t a one-off. Labour’s history is littered with viciousness dressed up as virtue. Remember Michael Cullen’s infamous “We won, you lost, eat that” sneer in 2005, rubbing National’s face in defeat?. Or Trevor Mallard’s endless parade of parliamentary thuggery, from brawling in the lobbies to dousing protesters with sprinklers as Speaker? Helen Clark’s government was no better, smearing opponents with relish while preaching moral superiority. And then there’s Jacinda Ardern’s regime, which weaponised “kindness” to silence dissent, vilify the unvaccinated, and ram through divisive policies like Three Waters with zero regard for democracy. Labour’s brand is clear: if you don’t toe their line, you’re fair game for abuse.
They’d have you believe they’re the party that cares, the champions of the little guy. But scratch the surface, and it’s all control and contempt. Unless you’re doing it their way—bowing to their woke dogma or swallowing their economic mismanagement—expect a torrent of vitriol. Russell and Webb’s outburst wasn’t just a lapse in manners; it was a glimpse into Labour’s soul. When you resort to swearing, you’ve lost the argument. No matter how clever you think your point is, dropping F-bombs signals you’re out of ideas and out of control. And Labour’s clearly running on empty.
Seymour, to his credit, handled it with class. “The amount of swearing from Labour MPs, I’ve never seen that before,” he told reporters, sounding more bemused than rattled. “Clearly, they’re very angry about something, but they were just a rabble.” He’s right. Labour’s meltdown wasn’t about policy or principle; it was about frustration. They’re flailing in opposition, unable to land a punch on a coalition government that’s steadily dismantling their legacy of bloated bureaucracy and nanny-state overreach. So, they lash out like schoolyard bullies, hoping cheap shots will mask their intellectual bankruptcy.
Russell’s track record doesn’t help her case. This is the same MP who, in 2020, blamed small businesses for struggling during lockdown, implying they lacked “strength” to weather a government-mandated shutdown. The backlash was swift, and—surprise, surprise—she backpedalled with an apology, claiming she didn’t mean to offend. Sound familiar? It’s Labour’s playbook: say something vile, wait for the outrage, then feign contrition. Webb’s no better. Just last year, he had to apologise for a social media post linking Seymour to Hamas, a low blow even by Labour’s standards. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re a pattern.
What’s most galling is Labour’s hypocrisy. They lecture Kiwis on civility, diversity, and inclusion, yet can’t manage basic decency in a committee room. If Seymour had sworn at them, the media would’ve screamed blue murder, and Labour would’ve demanded his resignation. But when it’s their MPs, it’s just a “tense moment” or a “human mistake.” Spare us. Kiwis deserve better than a party that only plays nice when the spotlight’s on.
This episode exposes Labour’s deeper problem: they’ve got nothing to offer. No vision, no policies, just petty sniping and foul-mouthed tantrums. While Seymour’s out there reforming regulations to free up businesses and boost the economy, Labour’s stuck in the mud, recycling old grudges and outdated ideology. Their behaviour at the hearing wasn’t just unparliamentary; it was unprofessional and, frankly, embarrassing. If they can’t handle a budget scrutiny session without resorting to gutter talk, how can they expect voters to trust them with the country?
Kiwis are watching, and they’re not impressed. Labour’s Nasty Party reputation is well-earned, and no amount of crocodile tears will wash it away. Next time Russell or Webb feel the urge to swear, they should try coming up with an actual argument instead. But don’t hold your breath—Labour’s too busy eating their own words to eat humble pie.