‘Jacindamania’ gives Labour leader Ardern poll lead in NZ
NEW ZEALAND’S opposition has taken the lead over the ruling conservative National Party in a “bombshell” poll that suggests 37-year-old Labour leader Jacinda Ardern could potentially win the forthcoming election.
Just four weeks after taking over the Labour leadership, “Jacindamania” – as it has been described in the local media – has propelled Ms Ardern, who worked briefly in Tony Blair’s cabinet office and is the party’s youngest-ever leader, into a potentially winning position ahead of the election on Sept 23.
A poll showed Labour’s lead over the National Party was 43 per cent to 41 per cent, Labour’s highest approval rating in 11 years. “This is a bombshell,” Bryce Edwards, a political analyst, told Reuters. “This campaign has turned on its head.”
The development came amid concerns that Ms Ardern has been subject to sexist treatment by the local media.
In the latest incident, she was asked by a journalist whether she had chosen her outfit for an election debate last night. She responded by insisting the interviewer ask the same question to Bill English, the prime minister.
Ms Ardern’s fresh, unprepossessing manner has helped to create a genuine contest against Mr English, a former finance minister who replaced John Key, the long-running former prime minster. Mr Key resigned last December, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Ms Ardern, if she wins, would become New Zealand’s third female prime minister after Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark. She worked as an aide for Ms Clark and was president of the International Union of Socialist Youth before entering parliament in 2008.