Here's my top 10 story list for 2008. Readers should be warned - not all may eventuate!

1. Helen Clark is rolled
Clark was feted as Politician of the Year for 2007. But how real is it to put on a pedestal a Prime Minister who has presided over a major attack on our democracy by legislating for a political funding racket?

Clark's colleagues will ask hard questions once they start hearing feedback over what Kiwis think of the Electoral Finance Act. The big question is whether her colleagues have the guts to roll her and put Phil Goff in her place. Or will they stand by like lemmings and wait for the electorate to take its revenge? Goff will be in Marrakech as the barbecue chatter heats up.

2. New Zealand explodes in wave of civil disobedience

I've been surprised at how many people I respect marched up Queen St to protest at the Electoral Finance Bill. Many had not marched since they trucked up to the Inter-continental Hotel - alongside Goff and Clark - to protest against Spiro Agnew's visit at the height of the Vietnam War.

People are so outraged that once the official election campaign starts next week they will fund viral internet campaigns and billboards to try to defeat Labour.

3. Climate change science consensus breaks

More prominent scientists will dispute the extent of the man-made global warming scenario. Four hundred scientists, many of them current and former participants in the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, have already criticised claims by the panel and former US Vice-President Al Gore.

A minority report issued by the Senate environment and public works committee lists the scientists by name, country and academic/institutional affiliation and features their words, biographies and weblinks to their peer-reviewed studies and original source materials gathered in 2007.

In New Zealand, rational scientists will still be demonised by Government and some business organisations.

4. John Key and Bill English cut succession deal

Key offers English a secret deal that he will step down as Prime Minister after two terms in favour of his Treasurer (English).

The former currency trader recognises that English - who virtually single-handed ran the Electoral Finance Bill story that catapulted National back up the polls - deserves to succeed him. This assumes Key has read the lessons from the reigns of Tony Blair and John Howard about what happens to unity when talented finance supremos are left to fester for too long.