I see DPF is using his new fave reporters to represent the reshuffle as being underwhelming. Of course, what DPF is a little more coy about is how this is a straight take from the talking points and that the ruse of using the journo comments is to mask the blatant partisan nature of his commentary. But, we’re not so coy, here’s the exact words of Key’s official press release:
Helen Clark has failed to show leadership by rewarding Trevor Mallard instead of punishing him for his behaviour in Parliament, says National Party Leader John Key.
“Instead of demoting him, she has effectively given him a portfolio promotion by handing him three influential new responsibilities - in addition to retaining his SOEs and Associate Finance roles.
“No fair minded Kiwi would view Trevor Mallard’s portfolio promotion as an exercise in caucus discipline.
“It also makes a mockery of Helen Clark’s claim that Mr Mallard is suffering from stress. Surely giving him more responsibilities and workload adds to his stress, especially in an area like Environment which is supposedly central to Labour’s re-election plans.
“The reshuffle is a lame exercise in recycling, not renewal.
“The same people are still in charge – Helen Clark and Michael Cullen. They are the same tired old faces singing the same tired old songs.
“I note that Labour’s master strategist, Pete Hodgson, has lost Health, which is an admission of failure in a portfolio that has had billions thrown at it over the past nine years for seemingly little result.”
There is, of course, huge irony in having Key talk about Lame recycling. He no doubt took soundings about releasing this press release from his long-term parliamentary colleagues: Bill English, Nick Smith, Lockwood Smith, Murray McCully (National’s master strategist), Gerry Brownlee, Tony Ryall, David Carter, Wayne Mapp, Maurice Williamson.
Aside from Power, Collins and Rich - Key’s core executive team is the very epitome of “recycled” and, judging on recent policy announcement gaffes, you’d have to describe them as pretty lame too.
The most exciting thing about the recasting of Cabinet is how it will put tremendous pressure on National. Key’s front bench is tired and worn and stopped making dents on the government months ago. A reinvigorated Cabinet lineup will only add to the pressure on Key to get his own house in order.
Talking about the reshuffle, I was heartened to see Phil Goff, a considerable talent, get Corrections. National love talking up Goff as a rival to Clark and no doubt they will attempt to represent Corrections as being Clark’s poison chalice. But hang on, there is a simpler and politically more savvy explanation. Goff previously managed the Justice/Corrections portfolio when in Opposition to devastating effect. He was, perhaps, one of the most successful Opposition spokespeople ever on the topic. He was also a highly successful Justice Minister - overhauling major pieces of legislation like sentencing, parole and bail - all items that had languished under previous National governments fearful of making such sweeping changes. So, as we move into an election phase who else would you get comprehensively on top of the Corrections portfolio safely?
Corrections has been, rightly or wrongly, the only real punches National managed to land earlier this year (putting aside gimmes like Field). This is due in large part to a combination of the public’s fascination with prisons and the efforts of a very ambitious and hardworking Opposition spokesperson - Simon Power. But Power’s initial successes have dimmed and he’s looking increasingly like a one-trick pony: scandal chaser. And while the “if it bleeds it leads” tends to push law and order to the forefront of the media and public’s attention, there’s only so many times you can play that tune without it getting a tad boring.
If Simon Power failed to comprehensively best O’Connor in the Corrections portfolio how do you think he will do with a real heavyweight like Goff? Simon Power is, as they eloquently say in The Terrace’s cafes, “fucked”. No more lazy, half-arsed point scoring or simple minded rumour mongering. Goff’s appointment to Corrections when taken with the savvy move to put the powerhouse Annette King into Justice (while retaining Police) effectively nullifies National’s ability to mount a convincing Law and Order line in the lead up to the Election. Very, very smart politics.
It’s the same with Mallard’s move to Labour. OK, it’s meant to be a bit of censure (moving down the ranks and losing Education) - but putting someone like Mallard in Labour has real strategic significance for National. National is, after the party supposed to be closest to the business community (although I would contest that). National’s unidimensional economic policy of tax cuts is going to look extremely lame in comparison to the government’s broad strategy for economic transformation. National is going to really struggle to mount any successful attacks on the government’s economic vision - not only because it is a bloody impressive one - but also because it now has to contend with one of the strongest defenders in Mallard. You could call it an overkill having Mallard defending the Labour - but I forsee he will use the economic transformation message as a platform for a more devastating attack on National’s obvious policy vacuum.
I think the MSM are missing the real story of the reshuffle and that’s it’s significance on National. There’s a lot of rumination and speculation about whether or not this reinvigorates Labour - but it clearly has major implications for National.
