Ed Said - Stability at last?

 

With the announcement of Jason Smith as our new Mayor, again social media erupted with an array of snide remarks from people who are happy with the democracy of the STV system providing they get the result they seek. Smith, like seven other candidates, registered, attended a number of public meetings, answered a number of questions and when polling time came, was democratically elected.

While a number on social media are calling him another National flunky, the system has given this result and he simply was the first selection for the majority of voters. The fact that only 42 percent bothered to vote is irrelevant. This is little different from not accepting the outcome of our general election when the highest polling party has failed to gain a seat in Government; but that’s how MMP works.

So why this angst towards the National Party? They are no longer part of the Government and, indeed, their leader Bill English has recently resigned, with a distinct possibility of being replaced by a woman. The fairer sex should be thrilled. Regardless of personal affiliations, if Kaipara Council can suck up to our current Government for the betterment of the region and the community then I’m all for it. No doubt Mr Smith, being a Kaipara ratepayer all his life, will be well versed in Kaipara’s chequered history over the past decade but, as the past is unable to be changed he will bring a fresh and educated perspective to the future of Kaipara and not dwell on the past.

Recent acting Mayor Peter Wethey was the only Councillor to challenge for mayoralty which, to me, shows some unity and stability among Councillors. He will now retain his spot on Council negating the need for another by election. Peter Wethey retains his post as Deputy Mayor and is a worthy advocate for Mangawhai and the eastern part of Kaipara and Mayor Smith being resident in the Matakohe-Ruawai area will give a reasonable balance to affairs across the region.

Kaipara affairs almost pale into insignificance against the news of our Prime Minister revealing her pregnancy. Remember the furore when the possibility of pregnancy was raised on air by Mark Richardson. He was all but hung, drawn and quartered, labelled sexist along with a number of other –ists. Turns out she was actually pregnant at the time. Was she being up front with her potential voters? She must have felt awfully embarrassed by the fallout. Had she appeared on the hustings with a baby belly she would have gained a degree of sympathy for her gallantry but few votes I believe. When officially announced, social media erupted into cries of ‘striking a blow for women’ and ‘empowerment’. How fickle we are. Women have been having babies since time immemorial. They have always had the right to get pregnant, or not. Far North’s Willow-Jean Prime has headed off to Parliament with her youngest and now the Green’s Julianne Genter has announced her pending birth as well.

The Beehive, so long the seat of power, will now become the country’s most expensive creche as Cabinet rings to the cries of fractious colicy babies who will take little heed of any call to order. Political satirists are going to have a field day. I checked out some dictionary meanings of ‘creche’ and ‘Cabinet’. Here are a couple that struck home: Creche - A group of young animals gathered in one place for care and protection usually by one or more adults. Cabinet - A group of ministers who are individually and collectively responsible. One could debate that for a long time! 

Just my thoughts.
Rob