Oh dear, Nigel’s knees up and ‘chopper now’
It had to end some time. The golden glow and constant smile were never going to stretch through an alleged sex scandal involving young people and booze.
Honeymoons simply can’t go on forever. And Jacinda Ardern will surely be reflecting on that as she grabs an organic latte from Mt Albert’s local markets this weekend.
New prime ministers always hope their political honeymoon will stretch on and on, but in this business there’s always an idiot lurking around the corner. Most of the time he or she is in your camp.
Don’t worry so much about the Opposition – they can’t be controlled – be concerned about the fools horsing around in your party and government.
Remember Ruth Dyson driving home under the influence of alcohol when a ministerial car could have taken her home within 7 minutes? It’s all about processes, procedures, checks and balances and judgment. That last one is everything.
So this must be said in the harshest possible way.
Who was the total and utter dickhead who allowed alcohol to be drunk at Labour’s Youth Camp? Bloody idiots. Beer and RTDs, other rocket fuels too, you name it, do not mix well with young teenagers.
I know a bit about this – it’s not just a gateway drug, it’s a pathway to a whole lot of trouble. It’s also against the law.
That’s quite crucial, l would have thought, and deserves more than just a passing mention.
Young Labour had quite a say in organising the gig. That won’t happen in future. So I can only blame party president Nigel Haworth. Party general secretary Andrew Kirton should have seen the risks too but he’s usually far too competent to kick in the guts on this. And, besides, Kirton fronted and faced the media music all week. But no, it’s Haworth to blame for me. Too old school. Too relaxed. Too much of a cover-up for me.
He’s the head honcho or senior party member who went AWOL.
Haworth gives me no confidence, like former president Mike Williams used to.
Haworth should stick around to perhaps clean things up then walk the plank. The sharks are hungry and circling. The police are too. Labour’s barely been there 100 days and already the cops have infiltrated the Beehive.
Williams used to speak to Helen Clark every second Sunday for a gossip when she was prime minister; indeed there was no greater gossip in the place. She loved it. Sometimes it was daily.
That Haworth didn’t tell his prime minister is all I need to know. It’s gobsmackingly incompetent. But wait, there’s more, the great cover-up spreads. Senior minister and long-time party figure Megan Woods knew too and she stayed mum, a backbench MP was there too and she posted a picture with young people and booze.
Unbelievably ... and somehow we have to believe this, no one told the PM. That needs to change in future. Information is power. Ardern needs to know everything. She looked like a startled possum in the headlights this week. Don’t surprise your prime minister with the cameras rolling.
And her condemnation of Labour was weak too.
But there is one crucial thing they really needed to do. Labour should have told the parents of the alleged victims. If I was the father I’d be furious. But apparently the victim has that right to privacy. The parents deserved to know to help make the best decision for their teenager.
The gloss came off the Labour Party this week.
As it did for Ron ‘Chopper’ Mark. There’s nothing worse than railing against ‘money-guzzler’ Defence Force choppers for years in Opposition then using them as personal limo service when you become the minister in charge. Perhaps it’s all gone to Ronnie’s head. Although I’m sure John Key used a chopper or fixed wing when he shouldn’t have.
Ardern needs to reset her Government and party next week and read them the riot act. Even her reaction was too mild.
What else could possibly go wrong? Helicopters and sex abuse allegations, oh, there’s always Shane Jones and his billion dollars a year to spend in small towns and hotels over the next 800-odd days and nights.
Shudder. Watch out for banana skins, Shane.