Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Jones: The contender leaves

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  • Ian Dalziel,

    Clayton Cosgrove said: "I am gutted he's going. He will leave a massive hole in our movement because he had such an appeal,''
    ...
    "It definitely takes away one of our big hitters. Shane was like a ballistic cannon when he fired. When you lose anybody that's a talented bloke ... it would be like losing Richie McCaw from the Crusaders. It makes your job a bit tougher.''

    The ongoing bromance - but at least Richie is a team player...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    So Morning Report continues with the Jones story via commentary from Damien O'Connor, Clayton Cosgrove, John Tamihere, Chris Trotter ... and Michael Bassett.

    I think I need a lie-down.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Pete George,

    Not as rooted as the United Future one, mate.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen, in reply to Pete George,

    According to McCully the job was created and then Jones was identified as the top prospect for it. Jones says it was purely his’ decision to leave Labour

    So you believe what politician say?????

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Aston, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I think I need a lie-down.

    +1
    I am now over it , Jones is gone , whatever

    Northland • Since Nov 2006 • 510 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    ... the job was created and then Jones was
    identified as the top prospect for it..
    So you believe what politicians say?

    Why not, it seems totally credible that the National mindset might have 'Jones-shaped' receptors...
    ;- )

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Richard Aston,

    Jones is gone , whatever

    ..and then...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Mikaere Curtis, in reply to ,

    There was no threshold then all but one of the MMP elections would have provided us an ALCP MP, and Bill would have got in from the Bill & Ben party. McGillicuddy would be fun, Great Leap Backwards and all that. Not with the Wizard though, he's aligned with Alf's Imperial Army, the perennial enemy of the McGillicudys.

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    So you believe what politician say?????

    It's good for the public to know why he's leaving .If for no other reason than to quell nasty gossip, but I think there does come a time in life when putting your own house in order is on the cards. He mentioned his health a couple of times and although that hasn't got much attention, it may have had a bigger personal impact. When you look at the possibility that you may be dying, perspective changes and an easier job goes up the list of "things to do". He mentioned his cancer hasn't returned. Something else may have shown up. He said his family and friends are concerned. Tau Henare has cashed in also.Another polypolytician who had a scare.
    Anyway from what RB says, sounds like he's getting an eulogy on Morning report,
    ;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I think I need a lie-down.

    I made sure I was lying down when I read the news in the first place, this morning.

    Jones is gone , whatever

    Yup. The only interesting bit now is whether the Nats will make good on their promises. I guess they have to, if they want to use this strategy again. But the best play of all would be to just go nah! Soz Shane. Nothing for you after all. Then the accusation of deliberate bribery can't even stick.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Not that it leaves Jones without options. A big hole opened recently in Maori talkback. Maybe he and Henare can make a winning team.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Deborah,

    Kelvin Davis has just posted this on Facebook..

    Priority 4: Stopping sexual, physical and emotional abuse of women and children, and yes to men as well.

    I was outraged with the Roastbusters scandal and the well publicized sexual abuse/ pedophile cases in Kaitaia over the last few years.

    I sat back and waited for a male MP especially any male MAORI MP to make a stand and say something along the lines of "What the bloody hell is going on that men can treat women and children like this?" I was waiting for a male MP to take a stand and tell all of us men that this abuse is (predominantly) a male problem, and that we need to sort our shit out ourselves. We need to have serious conversations with our sons, grandsons and nephews about how a real man treats a woman. But i bet this is just too hard for most males.

    I said in my maiden speech that it's one thing to be born a male, but another thing entirely to become a man. We need to MAN up any have the balls to have those hard conversations with our boys.

    Instead the only noise coming from male MPs was the sound of crickets chirping.
    So I determined if no other male MP was prepared to stand up and start lecturing men on how we need to treat and love our women and children, and if I was ever in the position again to pick up that mantle, I will.

    Some months ago I approached some people who work in this field and told them if i ever get back into parliament, tell me what I need to do to support them. I'll give them a call soon.

    So men, I don't give a rats arse if I'm accused of not being a REAL bloke, I'll still be a sports and rugby fanatic, get on the piss, keep up my fishing, shooting and getting lost up in the bush - but i love my wife, daughters, mother, sister, nieces,cousins, friends and colleagues too much to ignore sexual, physical and emotional abuse any longer.

    All of what he has to say there is pretty impressive.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    He mentioned his health a couple of times and although that hasn’t got much attention, it may have had a bigger personal impact. When you look at the possibility that you may be dying, perspective changes and an easier job goes up the list of “things to do”.

    Well, yeah... it's easy to be cynical and assume "health reasons" is just a euphemism, but just as often a cigar is just a cigar (to coin a phrase) and honestly I don't think the intimate details of Shane Jones' medical history is anyone else's business.

    I think I need a lie-down.

    Yeah, the bromance got a little bit cloying. :)

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Russell Brown,

    So Morning Report continues with the Jones story via commentary from Damien O’Connor, Clayton Cosgrove, John Tamihere, Chris Trotter … and Michael Bassett.

    I think I need a lie-down.

    Those interviews sounded like a fuckfest of Fox News liberals. Especially Michael Bassett, a bitter and twisted curmudgeon who’s been with ACT for some years now. I hope Morning Report isn’t trying to ape Newstalk ZB’s territory.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Deborah,

    All of what he has to say there is pretty impressive.

    Nice to see him stepping up there. One day it will be a common view...one day ...

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    I don’t think the intimate details of Shane Jones’ medical history is anyone else’s business.

    And neither do I . Just it was his words that I listened to not all the guesswork that has exploded. So it could be helpful to understand his decision should one care to take note of his words.
    Plus the timing thing. Anytime would have had the same media pack say the same things about who what where why and how. Then the panel discussions like he didn't exist anymore.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Damn it, I always thought he was Welsh.
    But…

    Mr Jones is one of New Zealand’s foremost experts in the seafood industry, given his long and controversial career at the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission,

    Hooten, Paywalled
    So we can still sing…
    Whale Kipper Whelk.. um
    In the Eel side.
    Still fishy though but we have come to expect that sort of thing from the greedhead control freaks eh?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • bmk,

    The most depressing this about this whole episode was only tangentially related. My partner only follows politics very casually until close to the election when she decides (last couple of times for Labour). Anyway as we don't normally watch much tv we were for once watching tv and she saw Cunliffe on late-night tv being interviewed about the Jones departure; she was highly unimpressed.

    She asked me who this 'smarmy prick' was and why on earth they made him leader. She said he continually had a fake smile and sounded smug, fake and smarmy. She also commented on his dress (something I never really notice) - saying that he was probably trying for casual since it was late night tv but instead it came across as 70s sleaze. She says she still hates Key but couldn't vote for such a smarmy fake.

    While this is simply one person's opinion I have heard similar from others. Particularly the smarmy and fake thing. My concern is that he makes this impression on those who only have a passing interest in politics. At the time the Labour leadership was being contested I supported Cunliffe; I now wish I hadn't. But I really don't know who would have done a better job - certainly not Jones.

    I have heard Cunliffe talk intelligently before but I think he needs some good media training to drop the smarmy, fake look he projects. Possibly smile less and sounding less convinced of his own cleverness (even if he is that clever).

    Since Jun 2010 • 327 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    And neither do I . Just it was his words that I listened to not all the guesswork that has exploded.

    Sure, we’re not disagreeing there. I think you’re right: Sometimes, taking what people say at face value is the right call. As I’ve said up thread, instead of trying to spin out some complex ’McCully is the anti-Christ, Labour is doooooomed” conspiracy theory the obvious answer seems the right one. It’s not as if Jones is the only MP who’s decided his heart isn’t really in Parliament any more, his odds of advancement aren’t that great whether Labour wins or not, his health may be a factor (I don’t know, and don’t want to)… So, he’s moving on.

    And it’s not as if he’s also – by my count, about a third of the National caucus isn’t seeking relection, including Tony Ryall, who on paper shouldn't be going anywhere. He's a very senior minister (and Health has been politically fairly quiet and scandal-free on his watch) with one of the largest majorities in Parliament and no reason to believe he'd have been bumped down from his top tier list ranking. I don’t remember too much chatter about how his retirement was bad for National. Mostly because it isn’t. And in all honesty, I don't think Jones' resignation is as "bad for Labour" as the usual suspects would have us believe.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Kumara Republic,

    Those interviews sounded like a fuckfest of Fox News liberals.

    Disgustingly biased coverage. What producer worth their salt would give airtime only to tired right-wing fools like that bunch? Labour's ongoing inability to manage media and framing is really hurting them.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Craig Ranapia,

    scandal-free

    except the one down South that he appears to be implicated in, yes

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Sacha,

    Labour’s ongoing inability to manage media and framing is really hurting them.

    Seriously, how is it their fault that Morning Report would choose that particular clique? That comment read almost like one of Imperator Fish's parodies. "6 Anti Labour commentators hated on Labour in Morning Report, giving further firm evidence of how poor Labour is".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • bmk, in reply to BenWilson,

    Seriously, how is it their fault that Morning Report would choose that particular clique?

    I imagine as part of a good communication strategy you'd ensure that people who do a good job of representing your party are on such shows as part of balance. Instead the voice from the left is often someone who bashes the Labour party nearly as much as the commentator from the right. Though I do think this isn't all the media's fault; I think a big part of the problem is simply the Labour party. It's hard to get people to speak positively about them because they aren't doing much to speak positively. I often find the Green Party's spokespeople do a much better job of articulating a clear opposition policy on the radio. They seem to have learnt how to do media much better than Labour.

    Since Jun 2010 • 327 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to bmk,

    ...those who only have a passing interest in politics.

    there's the trick converting them to
    'having a parsing interest'...
    ...though as you point out it seems
    many do so instinctively.

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to bmk,

    She asked me who this ‘smarmy prick’ was and why on earth they made him leader. She said he continually had a fake smile and sounded smug, fake and smarmy. She also commented on his dress (something I never really notice) – saying that he was probably trying for casual since it was late night tv but instead it came across as 70s sleaze.

    So she doesn't know who the Labour Party (she voted for), Leader is but wouldn't vote for him cos he looks funny and dresses kinda funny.
    Tell her he, along with all the other Mp's are on a 2 week recess so he's allowed out of his suit occasionally even maybe to get a bit of a dryclean . Wouldn't want him to look dirty as well as smarmy eh
    FFS ! How 'bout a bit of research instead of just expecting them to win the latest fashion parade . Otherwise we can get the AB's to run the country eh. Throw in a couple of trophy wives, so it smells good too.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

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