Opportunity goes begging

The news that Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross is to take several months of leave for an unspecified health issue has been greeted with maturity and discretion by almost everyone except his boss, Opposition leader Simon Bridges.

Bridges made all the right noises during the initial announcement. He talked of ‘‘a private and personal health issue’’, about the importance of Ross’ wellbeing and his young family, and the willingness of Bridges and his caucus to provide all the support they can.

So far so good. Bridges sounded like any other enlightened 21st century boss who speaks the jargon of work-life balance and knows about setting a good example in the workplace.

But then he blew it by describing Ross’ issues as ‘‘embarrassing’’, using that word not once, not twice, but three times.

This is baffling when you compare it to the sensitivity displayed during two other recent examples of MPs taking time out. When Dunedin South MP Clare Curran resigned from her ministerial portfolios last month, she talked of ‘‘relentless pressure’’ that became ‘‘intolerable’’. Two years ago, Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye took time off for breast cancer treatment and acknowledged then prime minister John Key as ‘‘an incredible rock’’ during a difficult period. Will Ross say the same about Bridges?

An opportunity for Bridges to look classy and statesmanlike turned instead into a political shambles. He has been trying to portray Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as a ‘‘weak’’ leader of a dysfunctional Government, but his poor example of leadership this week makes those criticisms hard to sustain. Empathy and sensitivity are displays of strength rather than weakness.

Bridges did seem to recognise he had made a gaffe when he said ‘‘embarrassing’’ was a poor choice of word. But the damage was done. Broadcasters Duncan Garner and Mike Hosking both focused on his mistake rather than Ross’ situation. A neutral story rapidly turned negative.

On its own, it may not matter but it contributes to a wider impression of failure. Bridges was also compelled to explain that Ross’ decision was ‘‘unrelated’’ to an ongoing investigation into the leaking of his travel expenses. He must surely regret launching that inquiry. The revealed costs were not enormous and the leak happened only days before the information was due to be officially released. Knowing the Opposition possibly has at least one well-placed person determined to destabilise a new leader is far more damaging to the party than the expenses themselves.

In his brief statement, Ross said merely the health issues were ‘‘personal’’. National’s deputy leader, Paula Bennett, added the word ‘‘traumatic’’ to those already used by her leader, which again could increase public speculation and curiosity.

Bennett also stressed there is no link with the leak inquiry, but inevitably some have made a connection. Last month a person claiming to be the leaker reportedly told Bridges they had a ‘‘long and serious mental health issue’’ that would be worsened by public disclosure. It is hardly surprising some were reminded of that when they learned of Ross’ announcement.

For now, Ross has public sympathy on his side and the media has kept a respectful distance. Bridges, on the other hand, looks like a man who knows his days as leader are numbered.

‘‘An opportunity for Bridges to look classy and statesmanlike turned instead into a political shambles.’’