[Abernathy]

Jacinda Ardern has decided to call it a day. . .

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023 ... XMUieOL-_o

Labour leader says she ‘no longer had enough in the tank’ to do the job

[Malcolm Armsteen]

As honest as one would expect.

[Youngian]

Unusual for a leader to quit while ahead. Rhodri Morgan was the last one I recall. There will be an international role waiting for Ardern and will look forward to seeing her on the global stage.

[Crabcakes]

Unusual for a leader to quit while ahead. Rhodri Morgan was the last one I recall. There will be an international role waiting for Ardern and will look forward to seeing her on the global stage.

Sadly, she isn’t ahead - Labour NZ are slightly behind in polls. Which shows how short people’s memories are - this is a country that was having music festivals and parties when we were all shut in because of Ardern’s fast, decisive action. there may have been stumbles since in vaccine rollout, but you know what they didn’t have? The best part of a year and thousands of lives lost because of dithering and prioritising money over people.

I think history will be *very* kind to Ardern. And deservedly so.

[Spoonman]

Ms. Arden certainly was very useful as a barometer at least outside of New Zealand. Mainly in that if you mentioned her name to someone and it triggered them, you're very likely dealing with a complete shithead.

[satnav]

I notice that all the usual Fuckwits like Hartley-Brewer and Oakeshott have all been gloating about Jacinda resigning they clearly prefer their leaders to be corrupt, dishonest and a tad racist.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Well duh...

[Crabcakes]

I notice that all the usual Fuckwits like Hartley-Brewer and Oakeshott have all been gloating about Jacinda resigning they clearly prefer their leaders to be corrupt, dishonest and a tad racist.

You can imagine the seething. Someone ideologically opposed to them who has been broadly successful and popular in their role, having the sheer nerve to leave on their own terms rather than denying them a gloat at a defeat or an ousting.

Ardern will be remembered. The likes of Oakeshott and Brewers-Droop will be lucky to get a footnote.

[Spoonman]

New Zealand election: National party's Chris Luxon claims victory

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67110387

[Tubby Isaacs]

Cost of living seems to have done for Labour.

Biden's effort in 2022 (albeit helped massively by the Supreme Court's Dobbs verdict) is looking like a very good incumbent effort. Hopefully Sunak won't match it.

[Youngian]

They sound a more traditional centre right party rather than unhinged lunatics and chancers.

[Spoonman]

They sound a more traditional centre right party rather than unhinged lunatics and chancers.

My relatively shallow knowledge of NZ politics would suggest that remark isn't too far wrong about the NZ National party - perhaps down to one argument I've heard in that Murdoch was never allowed to get a foot the door in NZ and poison the local media. In saying that if you wanted to find unhinged lunatics & chances there, ACT NZ is the most likely party to find them in & they made notable gains in this election.

[The Weeping Angel]

Stats for lefties has their take.

[davidjay]

So it's nothing to do with having lost a massively popular leader and the "Time for a change" factor?