There are many things that could and many things that should. However, often it will come down to the one thing that most of us—politicians or not—crave: likability. Likability can win or lose an election. Politicians know that but too often fail to act on it.
In America, Hillary Clinton lost for a lack of it. Few could or should like Donald Trump but liking what he was saying and represents gifted him a presidency. Of the current Democratic hopefuls, Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are immensely likeable and are front runners because of that. Significantly, none of the six women in the race is coming even close—has Hilary ruined it for women?
Which brings me to New Zealand Politics, Jacinda Ardern and Simon Bridges. There is nothing to like about the first, something to like about the second (at a superficial level), and very little (apparently) to like about the third.
I have been around New Zealand politics and politicians for a long time and remain a political nerd. I watch Question Time. Yes, our elected officials act like school children, but they always have; that’s not an issue. What is an issue for me is MMP. MMP has foisted upon Parliament and us an immense amount of deadweight.
I have observed them in the House—these list and minor party MPs. With few exceptions, they contribute little and possibly care even less. What MMP and the List have given us is quantity not quality.
The fact is all substantial and lasting social developments in New Zealand (of which we as a country was justly renowned) happened under the First Past the Post system when the House was totally comprised of electorate MPs directly responsible to the electorate.
No, I don’t like MMP at all.
Nor do I Like Jacinda Ardern, though I don’t dislike her either not at least as a person. As Fryday opined last week: I don’t think she is doing her job or is even up to it. But people like her because she is a woman, she is a mother and soon—maybe close to the next election—she will be a bride.
But where is the substance in that? Well, quite a bit actually. The likability factor, notwithstanding my opinion, will probably get her through.
Which brings me to Simon Bridges. Mr Bridges seems like a nice guy and I am told that he is intelligent and compassionate. Trouble is, he and his advisors have failed to convey that. As a result, he does not have that likability factor and, unlike Trump, is not compensating for it by what he is saying.
Not being liked (or disliked) is too substantial a barrier for Bridges’ personality to penetrate. The National Party has to recognise, before its too late, that the electorate does not like the party’s parliamentary leader, and, worse, are not particularly interested in him.
National may not like it, but like it or not likability is everything.
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