KEY POINTS:
Some sense returned to our politics yesterday with the announcement that the election will, as widely thought, be held on November 8.
From the ongoing, destabilising uncertainty surrounding her governing arrangement with New Zealand First, the Prime Minister's decision at last delivers clarity.
Helen Clark's televised announcement was a party political broadcast but she seemed pained at times and sombre throughout. There were no flashes of the up-and-at-em attitude that she delivered even in 2005.
A week or two of Winston Peters in fullblown denial is probably enough to exhaust the inexhaustible.
Her government has a strong record to stand on. She talked of focusing this campaign on Labour's plan for the future, something promised all year but not shared.
Most of Labour's time has instead been spent in minor tactical attacks on National and its leader John Key, unlikely now to be enough for victory. Longevity and incumbency can be terminal assets so the 'vision thing' will need to be powerful.
For National, there are 57 days to show something more than Labour-lite.
The country needs more from both parties than modified maintenance of the status quo. Mr Key's first challenge is to present a distinct plan and a competent team, factors lacking so far. Its tax cuts have to make sense within an overall economic strategy.
National starts with the advantage: a full year ahead in the polls and, while Helen Clark and Winston Peters will soon be physically separated out on the hustings, politically they remain as conjoined twins.
Under the Electoral Finance Act free speech has been stifled all year. Expect a campaign of limited public advocacy. Democracy's full voice must wait, but just eight more weeks.
