Trump and English common targets
OPINION: For an hour or so in Auckland something almost unnatural happened yesterday.
A wary love all but broke out between two political parties.
It was always going to be something of a risk to share the stage for the scene-setting, election-year State of the Nation speeches. More so for Labour than the Greens.
Andrew Little, as the alternative prime minister in waiting, was guaranteed a decent media hit from his appearance, but the Greens have at times struggled to get traction with their year-opener.
Then there is the risk - and the internal Labour sensitivities - of pushing the relationship too hard.
As it was, the parties pulled the event off reasonably well.
The Mt Albert hall was jampacked, the crowd was enthusiastic for both leaders and the symbolism of the leadership, candidates, and hand-picked ‘‘diversity’’, on the stage as a backdrop, sent the right message of two parties prepared to work together to change the Government.
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei either by accident or design - was far from stealing Little’s limelight. Her speech was much shorter, the curtain raiser really, and - while enthusiastically received - it hit no great heights.
By comparison Little’s was more forceful and more personal. He didn’t endorse her for deputy, or any other role for that matter.
She was unequivocal in backing him as prime minister and went so far as to praise him as the sort of ‘‘straight up, decent guy’’ the country needed as its next leader after some strong words about ‘‘calling out’’ United States President Donald Trump at the post-event media scrum.
In fact, there was clearly strong common ground between them on refugees and what Little called ‘‘a better path than isolation and bigotry’’ represented by politicians like Trump.
Both also launched into Prime Minister Bill English over similar issues; his planned no-show at Waitangi, leadership and his response when asked if he was a feminist.
Despite obvious differences on issues like membership of the Five Eyes security network - now with Trump’s America - neither fell into any hostile disagreement during post-match media quizzing.
As election-year symbolism of their closer co-operation it was all they could have hoped for.
Now the game moves on to the February 25 Mt Albert by-election to ensure the Jacinda Ardern-Julie Anne Genter face-off does not allow their acknowledged competition to trump the public show of affectionate co-operation.