Labour is promising to abolish within 100 days of taking office the MMP coat-tail rule that enables a minor party electorate MP to bring party list mates into Parliament, writes Brian Rudman.

It is political convention that changing electoral law is done by consensus because it is fundamental to the country's democracy, writes John Armstrong.

The Greens are straining at the leash. They are not just hungry for power. They are starving.

One of the first things the new MPs entering Parliament following the election will quickly learn is the necessity of growing a suit of armour, writes John Armstrong.

The merest mention by Winston Peters of the words "bottom line" is enough to send a shiver down Nats and Labour spines, writes John Armstrong.

Whether by design or merry happenstance, Finance Minister Bill English will stand to present his maiden surplus today.

John Key will be hoping the public has Judith Collins fatigue. It has turned into a war of infinitesimal detail, writes Claire Trevett. Details of who met whom, what was said

John Key is punting on the Opposition attack running out of steam by the time Judith Collins goes on leave, writes John Armstrong. That is not a safe bet.

Claire Trevett looks at a week of politics dominated by policy announcements and the resignation of Shane Jones from the Labour Party.

Labour and New Zealand First yesterday mounted a pincer movement against Justice and ACC Minister Judith Collins in Parliament, writes Claire Trevett. A joint production titled "The Crusherfixion".

The pre-election fumblings behind the bikesheds as our increasingly twitchy politicians seek a mate for the next three years are beginning to become rather R18, writes Brian Rudman.

For one short week, we were unapologetic pigs in muck - at first slightly appalled at ourselves before shelving the guilt and enjoying the $1.2m taxpayer-funded ride.

You need poke a stick at a wounded animal through the bars of its cage for only so long before you get a reaction, writes John Armstrong. In Judith Collins' case, you get more than a reaction.

I would hazard a guess that John Key's gut feeling about our increased love of the monarchy is coloured by his grouse-shooting expedition to Balmoral, writes Brian Rudman.

Claire Trevett asks: "Who is the mystery electorate MP Kim Dotcom has claimed will soon shed his or her political clothing of yore and emerge in the royal purple of the Internet Party."

Whether he is a virus, or a puckish imp, sent by the gods to mock those who would rule over us, Dotcom continues his uncanny facility to bring out the ridiculous in our politicians, writes Brian Rudman.

Hone Harawira should think carefully indeed before committing his fledgling Mana Party to any vote-sharing deal with Kim Dotcom's Internet outfit, writes John Armstrong.

In setting September 20 as the date for the election, the PM has just managed to avoid looking like he is using his position to questionable advantage, writes John Armstrong.

Mike Williams, quipped that Cunliffe's choice was either a stroke of brilliance or of lunacy, writes Brian Rudman. Certainly keeping the reins on McCarten is going to be a task for Cunliffe.

Tony Ryall is and has always been the archetypal, solid-to-the-core National Party MP who believes that loyalty to one's party is paramount, writes John Armstrong.

The appointment of Matt McCarten as Labour leader David Cunliffe's new chief of staff was the second back-to-the-future moment in politics of the past week.

McCarten's campaign skills should help draw voters back to Labour in its metropolitan strongholds, writes John Armstrong.

If there was ever a man determined to keep NZ Post in business, it is Colin Craig, writes Claire Trevett. So far he has had his lawyers send letters off to a satirical blogger, two media outlets, the Broadcasting Standards Authority and now Russel Norman.

David Cunliffe has probably done enough to avoid Labour suffering too much collateral damage from the Shane Taurima affair, writes John Armstrong.

Parliament this week was brought to you by the letters ARROGANT and TRICKY and the colour Green.

The Govt is not ruling out even firmer action, such as summoning the ambassador to the Beehive for a face-to-face dressing-down, writes John Armstrong.

Take the personalities out of the equation and a National-NZ First Govt would be far less restrictive for National than one relying on the Maori Party, writes Claire Trevett.

It is only the first week of the parliamentary year and the features common to election campaigns are already on full boil, writes Claire Trevett.

This election year there will be claim and counter-claim from National and Labour about whether the recovering economy is a rising tide that will lift all boats.

Seven years after putting NZ First leader Winston Peters into the naughty corner, Key is now trying to haul him out again. writes Claire Trevett.