Thanks, Karl, I have a secret too

Well done, Karl du Fresne (Sept 20). It takes a brave person to use their column as a public confessional to admit, in their words, to an act of political vandalism – giving their party vote to NZ First in the last general election.

To his dismay, Karl learned a fundamental lesson about the Mixed Member Proportional electoral system. While it delivers a more proportional Parliament, it can also deliver disproportional political power to a minor party. This ‘‘Winston effect’’ is heightened when voters use MMP in a ‘‘tactical’’ sense in an effort to provide their preferred party with a potential coalition partner.

The answer might be for voters to acknowledge MMP will, on its own, do its job in creating a more proportional Parliament and then simply vote for the party they prefer, resisting the temptation to exercise a ‘‘tactical’’ vote.

The parties will arrive at some kind of accommodation. They don’t need our help.

Never mind, Karl. Most of us have these dirty little secrets. Once I gave my party vote to United Future. Fortunately, Peter Dunne was never allowed to wag the dog.

Evan Voyce, Eastbourne

Thinking like a man

On Suffrage Day, as reported the day after (Sept 20), National Party leader Simon Bridges ‘‘attacked [Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern] for being weak in her dealings with coalition partners NZ First and handling of scandals enveloping Clare Curran and Meka Whaitiri’’. He justified this by arguing he had made the same claim ‘‘in relation to quite a lot of male leaders as well’’.

In the same edition, Michelle Duff highlighted the fallacy of believing the way to make it ‘‘in a man’s world’’ was to ‘‘think like a man’’. Thus we see the flaw in Bridges’ attack: he has passed judgment according to male concepts of strength and weakness.

Instead of posturing and prematurely expostulating to prove she’s in charge, Ardern applies principles of kindness, compassion, listening, fairness and due process before coming to a well-considered conclusion – then acting decisively.

What a breath of fresh air! Take a deep breath, Mr Bridges. John Smythe, Mt Victoria

That droning sound

They always say you cannot beat Wellington on a good day; even the wind turbines are still.

But in the distance there is constant whining coming from the Beehive. That source has been found. It’s Simon Bridges – it’s constant, droning and quite screechy.

It’s amazing; only a year out of Government and he’s already forgotten his own backyard had the same troubles. Nothing was done. At least the PM has done something.

Trevor Tofts, Island Bay

Thomas can’t stay

‘‘Come clean about Brash ban’’ (Editorial, Sept 20) says it all. Jan Thomas has been dishonest about her reasons for banning Don Brash from speaking at Massey University, and her position as vice-chancellor is untenable.

If she doesn’t resign willingly, Massey must pull its head out of the sand and fire her. For the sake of the reputation and integrity of the university, it cannot allow such bigots to remain in such a prestigious and influential position.

Whether you agree with Don Brash or not, he at least has the integrity to be unwavering and vocal about his beliefs, unlike Jan Thomas, who dissembles and obfuscates.

Rayward Chung, Broadmeadows

A D for effort

As a Victoria University graduate, an original member of the foundation, and a specialist in branding, marketing, and market research, I am appalled by the lack of professionalism in the current name-change initiative.

The whole exercise was based on the unproven belief that the current name was causing confusion. That belief was not substantiated by research, nor was the current brand valued. In addition, the consultation was pathetic and an accurate cost-benefit study wasn’t presented at the start of the exercise.

I could go into more detail, but suffice to say I’d give it a D. Joe Pope, Oriental Bay