July 2011

Yes, I know it's not a very nice thing to do, kicking someone when they're down and other clichés, but it's just so damned satisfying.

Seven years ago, I had a heart-to-heart with Helen Clark and George Hawkins and told them of the fate that awaited the NZ Labour Party if they did not immediately get some strong men onto the front benches. I told Helen that she had dominated for so long that the only capable male on the Labour ticket was Michael Cullen and that once he had Helen had left - as was going to happen for sure - there would be a leadership vacuum.

Welcome to the real world, Phil Goff.

Goff has always been an excellent cabinet minister, but without the drive, personality or character to oppose the unstoppable John Key.

Like it or not, politics in 2011 is all about the leader's character, and Labour has none.

It's not even as though John Key is that wonderful, but in a political arena devoid of male talent for an entire decade, he managed to stand out, and still does. As I have said many times previously, Key is an excellent team-builder and statesman, but he has no charisma whatsoever. He can't even speak publicly. A Lange, Prebble or Douglas would have eaten him up and spat out the bones, but those Labour die-hards have died hard and not been replaced.