School’s out and Cabinet’s report says: Could do better
The class of 2020 is done and MPs have darted to Wellington Airport, the year over, and now they’re off for a long holiday courtesy of the taxpayer. So how did they scrub up?
To keep this pain-free, only MPs worth mentioning get an assessment; the others have a whole year to impress the judges again. Let’s start with some of the Cabinet.
Jacinda Ardern B+
She started off 2019 saying this would be the year of delivery, so can someone tell me when the gifts arrive? Ardern created too much expectation with this phrase, when the truth is this Government has no master plan, or a group of masters assembled looking for a plan.
It’s a bit like a teenager jumpstarting her first car and we all flock to see the damage or embarrassment.
So far the impact has been limited, but this was going to be a transformative Government and the genuinely poor could finally be heard and given a leg up? Yeah nah, maybe next year.
Judges say: Hugely empathetic during massacre in Christchurch, and White Island tragedy. Has empathy in spades and is easily Labour’s best weapon. Just don’t mention capital gains tax or KiwiBuild.
Grant Robertson B
Mixed year for Grant, who too often was probably left in charge of a bunch of Labour student activists while trying to run the nation’s accounts. Economic growth is OK, and low unemployment and increasing take-home pay augurs well for 2020, but where is Grant’s stamp or flair or flavour, and why does Adrian Orr at the Reserve Bank appear to have control of the economy?
Winston Peters B
He couldn’t tell us why he was in hospital, or who funds his party, but when the country needed a wise calm decision or voice it could largely have confidence in
Winston. Just 7 per cent of the vote and all that influence. You gotta hand it to him.
Shane Jones B
Loud, in your face, and carrying billions of dollars yet to be spent. Is this a good policy or just porkbarrel politics designed to install him as leader of his party in a year or so?
David Parker B
I don’t know what he does and can’t remember the last thing he did or said, and I’m not sure he is being used in the right role, given his genuine competence.
Iain Lees-Galloway D
Every time I see him on TV, I ask myself why is he still there? Enough said.
Phil Twyford E
And not for excellent. I can’t recall another minister who had such huge plans, only for the country to realise no-one had put any work into them. KiwiBuild = a huge disappointment.
Megan Woods B
Sounds competent, which is a good start, but the petrol companies still have her at arm’s length and are showing us that, no matter who is in charge, they barely care.
Chris Hipkins B
Has he got too much going on that none of it is actually getting done that well?
Kris Faafoi B
Could have had an A but he invited his needy muso mate to the party!
Kelvin Davis B
Did you know he is also the deputy leader of the Labour Party?
If I left you off, then I’ll try to mention you next year.
Honourable mentions go to David Seymour, who is more than capable, and National leader Simon ‘‘Houdini’’ Bridges for making it this far.
Many have written off Labour as a one-term experiment, but the power of the platform and the power of holding the Treasury benches will, I predict, give them a flying start to 2020.
Now watch for the bribes, as there’s plenty of money to throw around.
Let’s hope it goes to those who need it, as middle-class welfare may be a vote winner but it doesn’t change lives.
Labour needs to meet the people whom it claims to represent, as thousands of them are doing it extra hard this Christmas. They’re the ones in the line waiting for the food parcels this festive season.
Happy Christmas.