John Armstrong from the NZ Herald has a good opinion piece this morning about Labour's problems, particularly with David Parker.
Recognising the dilemma, she yesterday sought to paint Mr Parker as an honourable person who had made a mistake. She then attacked Investigate magazine and Rodney Hide as if Mr Parker's predicament was somehow all their fault. She then dropped another hint that Labour might retaliate in kind to what were "smear" campaigns against its ministers.
Yes, obviously it's that nasty Rodney Hide's fault that David Parker filed a false declaration to the Companies Office. It was Investigate that brought up the allegations, but how on earth does it make it their fault that it happened? Are they not just reporting the facts here? It's not as if either David Parker or Helen Clark are denying that he filed false declarations.
Helen Clark has slipped into her usual defence mode - shoot the messenger. She is only worried about the allegations because they are now in the public arena - she seems to have no problem as long as they are kept quiet.
John Armstrong ends with an important point:
Yet, Labour's anger is blinding it to the extent that the Prime Minister is now gambling on Mr Parker not being prosecuted for making a false declaration.
If he is prosecuted, he will surely have to stand down from his other portfolios at least temporarily.
If he escapes prosecution, that will only reinforce the growing perception that the "mistakes" of Labour politicians are treated differently when it comes to the application of the law.
Either way, Labour is the loser.
He should have just resigned completely. We'll see how the government copes in question time today.mp3 alizee automatic
Recognising the dilemma, she yesterday sought to paint Mr Parker as an honourable person who had made a mistake. She then attacked Investigate magazine and Rodney Hide as if Mr Parker's predicament was somehow all their fault. She then dropped another hint that Labour might retaliate in kind to what were "smear" campaigns against its ministers.
Yes, obviously it's that nasty Rodney Hide's fault that David Parker filed a false declaration to the Companies Office. It was Investigate that brought up the allegations, but how on earth does it make it their fault that it happened? Are they not just reporting the facts here? It's not as if either David Parker or Helen Clark are denying that he filed false declarations.
Helen Clark has slipped into her usual defence mode - shoot the messenger. She is only worried about the allegations because they are now in the public arena - she seems to have no problem as long as they are kept quiet.
John Armstrong ends with an important point:
Yet, Labour's anger is blinding it to the extent that the Prime Minister is now gambling on Mr Parker not being prosecuted for making a false declaration.
If he is prosecuted, he will surely have to stand down from his other portfolios at least temporarily.
If he escapes prosecution, that will only reinforce the growing perception that the "mistakes" of Labour politicians are treated differently when it comes to the application of the law.
Either way, Labour is the loser.
He should have just resigned completely. We'll see how the government copes in question time today.mp3 alizee automatic
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