Leaders made the tough decisions

John Roughan calls Judith Collins nasty and Jacinda Ardern lacking in strength (Weekend Herald, July 25) but I suggest he’s wrong. When Collins was asked if she had received similar complaints about other politicians, she had three choices: She could lie; say that she had no comment; or tell the truth. Telling the truth was the only viable option.

The person addressing the “complaint” email to Collins obviously expected Collins would pursue the matter. What Collins did, which was to provide the email address of Ardern’s staff, was the wise option. The person complaining could it with Ardern if he/she wanted, or drop it. Either way, Collins had done her legal and moral duty.

When Ardern sacked Iain LeesGalloway,

she did not do so out of weakness. While many New Zealanders turn a blind eye towards extra-marital affairs, most find that conduct unacceptable in a minister, especially if the other party is an underling in the minister’s office or department. Like Collins, Ardern had no choice. Both were faced with tough decisions, and both did the right thing.