Bill’s true feelings arise in Opposition
Once Were Warriors offers good insight into the questions swirling around the National Party leadership.
WHEN I find myself in times of trouble, there’s always Once Were Warriors.
The gritty classic of New Zealand cinema is more than just one of this country’s most favourite and greatest ever films, it’s rightly acknowledged as a milestone in this our cultural history.
It’s a source of inspiration that didn’t just make for movie magic back when it was released in 1994, but can shed light on aspects of life even today.
How can one not learn about taking strength from life, when Beth Heke says things to Jake such as: ‘‘Our people once were warriors. But, unlike you, Jake, they were people with mana, pride; people with spirit. If my spirit can survive living with you for 18 years, then I can survive anything.’’
And who hasn’t been waiting for a chance to bust out her line to police after they brought her son Boogie home and said ‘‘he’s been ‘‘keeping bad company’’. Fiercely proud, Beth bit back: ‘‘was that before or after you picked him up?’’
One of the film’s most beautiful moments is when Jake and Beth are singing a beautiful duet about the nature of love. From a nearby bedroom, eldest daughter Gracie loves this rare moment of togetherness from her parents but Boogie is cynical and says they’re just drunk until Gracie points out that ‘‘people show their true feelings when they’re drunk’’.
I can’t help but wonder whether people show their true feelings when in Opposition too, because I recalled that scene as I watched the performance of National leader Bill English recently, like a couple of weeks ago when he described Te Reo Maori as ‘‘someone else’s language’’.
Maybe he forgot Maori was one of the country’s official languages, but, even so, it was a statement he surely never would have uttered as prime minister. Or maybe they’re just his true feelings and it has started to dawn on National that they’re in the stink offices now.
After a lengthy career in parliament, English would be one of the most trusted politicians in the country. He’s as solid as the swedes so loved in the south, and, judging by his gutsy performance in Fight For Life years ago, just as pale and tough.
The swede is a root vegetable that’s a kind of cross between a cabbage and a turnip making it, to my mind, the same sort of nononsense, sturdy object as English.
Thanks to his leadership, National is just as popular now as it was at last year’s election. But this week rumours and speculation have been swirling about whether his job as leader is safe. It probably is, but for how long?
Labour’s former party president Mike Williams told media that English ‘‘wants to go’’ as National leader but there isn’t an obvious successor. If that’s true, he should consider leaving. I don’t see him making it to the next election and the party leaders with their knives out will show their true feelings... eventually.