WE SAY: You read it @ press.co.nz Christchurch is now poised to redefine its character and its Marryatt to be investigated over consents essence for the next half century and beyond. You said it @ press.co.nz Eastsider: ‘‘Who is going to pay for this? Yet another complete waste of our money, meanwhile eastern roads are still shocking’’. THE PRESS, Thursday, July 11, 2013 A15 MPs must share ‘man-ban’ blame Robertson. Another had the The proposal stipulates Vernon Left-wing of caucus that for next year’s election circulating a similar letter. the party list committee shall Small None of the rumours stood ‘‘ensure that for any up to scrutiny but all were percentage of party vote likely furiously stoked by National – to be obtained, and taking into ON POLITICS even to the point of a meal account the electorate MPs shared by MPs Andrew Little likely to be elected with that and Trevor Mallard with level of Labour support, the abour Party leader property magnate Sir Robert resultant caucus will David Shearer made Jones (spotted apparently by comprise at least 45 per cent absolutely the right Justice Minister Judith women’’. call by asking the Collins) being spun into a For the 2017 and L party to smother the rumour they were discussing subsequent elections, the so-called man ban rule Shearer’s future. percentage would be at least change. It may be unfair on 50 per cent. And, yes, the party made Shearer but if he were more This is far more the right call by agreeing. David Shearer comfortable in his skin and prescriptive than the Not because of any fine more secure in his leadership, equivalent Green Party rule issue of principle but because the rumours would never that aims for a 60/40 gender any other option would have Until have gained legs. split. The Greens’ thinking is wounded, perhaps fatally, his Shearer There is plenty of obvious; if the balance gets chances – and hence the subterranean gossip about a out of kilter, action is needed party’s chances – of victory. can get the possible post-Key standoff but a level of flexibility is Once he had put a belated party’s poll between Collins and Steven desirable. And there is no stake in the ground, there Joyce for the National reason to favour a bias really was no alternative if his ratings up and leadership. But any attempt to towards women than against authority as leader was to be get a story running about a them. preserved. stamp a more pending coup would fall at the By comparison, Labour’s Labour Party president confident face first hurdle. rule – ‘‘at least’’ 45 and then 50 Moira Coatsworth gritted her Until Shearer can get the per cent – is one-sided and teeth and accepted the on his party’s poll ratings up, and inflexible. inevitable, issuing a brief leadership, his stamp a more confident face Why does it matter if 56 per press release and then on his leadership, his cent of Labour’s MPs are men declining all further problems will problems will not go away. but not if, say, 65 are women? comment. Meanwhile, the ‘‘man ban’’ Moreover, it is impractical. True, the rule change was a not go away. may have gone but there is a Within the uncertainties of distraction as Shearer pointed Moira Coatsworth: The Labour Party president gritted her teeth and accepted the inevitable, issuing a brief press release and then declining all smouldering fire around the electorate seat victories and out and Coatsworth accepted. have had little practical use – further comment. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ other proposed clause that voter support, aiming for 50 But it would also have been and may never have been would ensure at least 50 per per cent will be like trying to a running sore through to the used – it was simply not worth holders – from where it Former MP Stuart Nash during last year’s annual A smorgasbord of cent of candidates are women hit a pinhead at 50 paces. vote at the November annual the candle to rekindle all the apparently leaked via a has proposed a pan-Labour conference and are now scuttlebutt variously had – and it may become a rallying At the least, the conference, where it may well ready-made attacks on former MP through a communications maestro super-miffed by Shearer’s frontbenchers meeting to point for party activists. pragmatists will want to run have been defeated. Labour’s politically correct disgruntled former member to with a foot in the party and effective ultimatum on the discuss a coup (even though Although it does not have the ruler over the term The fact that women MPs stance. Having said that, the National’s attack blogs. the caucus. He may well have ‘‘women-only’’ electorate the named individuals were the immediate headline ‘‘ensure’’ and the mechanism such as Maryan Street (who party has come in for an But there is also a level of a point. But although that candidates option. in separate cities). Then there potential of ‘‘man ban’’, it is to achieve the targets. has feminist – ahem – street- unfair level of criticism. criticism attached to Labour’s could solve the ‘‘no-surprises’’ The rumour mill was in was the supposed letter of no- arguably more fundamental It remains to be seen if the cred to spare within the party) True, it sent out without a MPs, all of whom should have issue between the party and full swing on Monday and confidence circulating among to achieving the desired Left wing at the November had severe reservations about communications strategy the been aware of the problem its MPs, it is unlikely to calm Tuesday, fuelled by National Right-wing MPs disgruntled gender balance – and may yet conference will accept a the proposed rule meant it details of the rule change to an rumbling their way and yet the savage breast of the stirrers and some Auckland by Shearer’s performance, but come under fire from compromise or dig in their was surely on borrowed time. inner circle of some 300 senior none picked it up on their party’s Left-wing activists. Labour activists, that his concerned his replacement Labour’s opponents and its heels for a rearguard For a measure that would party members and office political radar. They flexed their muscles action was the last straw. would be deputy Grant own Right-wing. ‘‘victory’’. deal sonic sat Wise up TO super fri! Little attraction in politics ! these thur only for women with families mid-winter Canadian Club * Rosemary Christmas $ 99 McLeod specials! 371 litre *OFFER VALID THURSDAY 11TH JULY TO SATURDAY 13TH JULY 2013 ONLY. LIMITS MAY APPLY. WHILE STOCKS LAST. uth Richardson would have put me off any Rwaffly thoughts of WOODSTOCK politics years ago if I’d ever 4 YO 12 X 250ML CANS been daft enough to consider 8% ALC/VOL it. I recall that short woman in shoulder pads as wide as she was tall, lugging two fat black pilot briefcases stuffed with ministerial papers she had to read over the weekend. She was then minister of finance, and I was working on a profile of her. Good luck CODY’S & 99 CANADIAN CLUB COLA VSOB $ 10 X 330ML BOTTLES with that, I thought, SMIRNOFF GILBEY’S BALLANTINE’S 21each 4.8 % ALC/VOL WILD CORUBA 12 X 250ML CANS TURKEY ORIGINAL 8% ALC/VOL wondering what could be so OR GOLD worthwhile about giving up Mabel Howard: MP for Christchurch East and then Sydenham from 1943 to 1969, and the first female cabinet $ 99 $ 99 $ 99 33 1 litre 1 litre 35 1 litre family time to read boring minister as Minister of Health and Child Welfare. She was also a Christchurch city councillor and famously $ 99 29 44 1 litre $ 99 papers for a job nobody will brought two pairs of bloomers into Parliament to make a point. 37 1 litre BILLY MAVERICK thank you for, some people 10 2 BONUS & COLA 12 X 250ML CANS will actively hate you for, and bar they like, but some Older women in my family CANS 8% ALC/VOL few will even remember. Just think: women in the Labour Party adored the Labour MP Mabel This ministerial reading are dissatisfied, hence the Howard, who famously waved There JIM BEAM had to be done, you startling suggestion that there two large pairs of women’s & COLA understand, while also really are men should be women-only bloomers about in 10 X 330ML CANS meeting with her out there still selection lists, to ensure a Parliament’s debating 4.8 % ALC/VOL constituents, making contact statistically proper 50 per cent chamber to – successfully – with her two small children who think make it into caucus. Shane illustrate her case for CRUISER 12 X 250ML CANS and husband, and – women need to Jones reacted elegantly. He standardised sizing of STEINLAGER 8% ALC/VOL supposedly – having a break claims to have canvassed the garments. ‘‘My very life was CLASSIC from Parliament. Richardson idea with the public, ‘‘and the politics,’’ she is quoted as 15 X 330ML BOTTLES $ 99 be born with a Flavours 19 each had already battled for the overwhelming response is the saying in the Dictionary of $ 99 vary by store right to breastfeed in the set of testicles public doesn’t want the New Zealand Biography. ‘‘I 22 each TUI/EXPORT GOLD $ 99 HEINEKEN 24 X 330ML BOTTLES each parliamentary building. Her before they can country run by geldings’’. suppose this was because I 12 X 330ML BOTTLES 32 political life seemed to be all Just think: There really are was more manly than most of about battles of one kind or qualify as men out there still who think New Zealand women; that’s another, which didn’t look women need to be born with a why I never married.’’ EXCLUSIVE appealing as a lifestyle.