Pregnancy not relevant

Nan Cotter and others harp on about Jacinda Ardern negotiating for the role of Prime Minister while just pregnant, when in fact she was negotiating for Labour Party policies, projects and aspirations to be included in any coalition agreement. There is never any guarantee for a political leader’s tenure, as exhibited by both major parties during the past couple of years, but the main policies continue beyond any change of leadership.

If the Labour Party feel that she is not managing her role once the baby is born they have the right to replace her, just as the National Party could put up a vote of no confidence. Therefore the fact she was pregnant at the time of the negotiations is irrelevant. Quite apart from that, if people had known, and made decisions on that basis they would be guilty of discrimination.

Most people, for a whole lot of good reasons, do not announce a pregnancy until after the watershed 12 weeks gestation period. It is one thing to break the sad news to close family and friends if a pregnancy proves non-viable before that time, another thing entirely to have to tell the whole world.

Nobody makes career decisions or public announcements based on a six- or seven-week pregnancy. Get over it people, and enjoy the interesting times ahead.

Fiona Downes, Hobsonville.