Enough of this tragic theatre

What is possibly genuinely revelatory is what this whole episode, and the many more predicted to come, says about us ... we are potentially actors, not just observers, in a slow-motion train wreck.

Politics is often likened to theatre. But the unravelling of Jami-Lee Ross’ career and possibly his mental health is quickly turning to tragedy.

Ironically, the latest tape reveals what goes on behind the curtain. Readers will have their own ideas about what is transpiring between Ross, National leader Simon Bridges and his deputy, Paula Bennett. Some will see political expediency and a plan to spare Bridges and co more scandal; others will feel the tapes indicate genuine concern for the wellbeing of Ross and other players in the drama.

It should be acknowledged that there is little that is truly revelatory in the latest recording. For all our good intentions and words about workplace bullying and the machinations of management, the brutal truth is that such scenes are played out in countless arenas of business and political life every day. We have a long way to go to turn words into deeds.

What is possibly genuinely revelatory is what this whole episode, and the many more predicted to come, says about us.

Jami-Lee Ross is not long out of a mental-health facility; he was sectioned out of a fear that he was a danger to himself and others.

He claims he is now fine, but it’s worth asking whether this latest attack, and any further ones, is the work of a truly stable person with a genuine grudge and well-thought-out agenda, or the ongoing unravelling of a person motivated by bitterness and revenge.

And what role do we have in the unfolding drama? Who is advising Ross? If he has any genuine support and supporters, are they offering the best counsel?

Whose interests are being served here? If Ross is acting alone, then we should be concerned; if this is part of a campaign in concert with others then we should be even more worried that those people would be willing to make use of him for their own ends.

For the rest of us, this is cheap entertainment, delivered in bite-sized, episodic morsels. But now we are potentially actors, not just observers, in a slow-motion train wreck.

Bridges has declared enough. He too suspects there will be more tapes, more paper cuts that may yet spell the end of his own political career.

He’s done talking about the tapes and won’t be responding further.

That’s understandable from his point of view. His management of this in front of the curtain has been, arguably, as bad as that behind it.

But it may be good advice for the rest of us to consider. How far down do we want to go in following one man’s descent.

Ross and whoever is behind him have had the stage, they’ve had their 15 minutes of infamy.

Now it’s exit stage right. And not just for Ross’ sake.