For another shot at government, the Greens will need to convince the average New Zealander, particularly the targeted first time voter, that they are more than Morris dancers, mohair jacket wearers and tree-huggers. Undoubtedly these misguided souls are part of their support base but they really are best kept hidden away from Joe Public.
Media were barred from members’ meetings at the Greens’ annual conference, but James Shaw and Marama Davidson appeared on The Nation at the weekend, attempting to present as a united front. They failed. Shaw made absolutely no eye contact at all with Davidson during the entire interview. At best he looked very stiff and awkward.
When asked how their co-leadership is working, Davidson assured us she has a long, good working relationship with Shaw and they “take turns” in heading up “different, complementary” roles in the responsibility of the Green party leadership. “Explaining is losing”, though, as one well-known media commentator so wisely puts it.
Shaw was asked why he didn’t support Davidson at Ihumātao and said “I had a series of ministerial appointments” after Simon Shepherd had already told him “there was nothing in the ministerial media diary, I checked.” Shaw then paused, ummed and aahed, finally saying “Well, I had work on.” He was not convincing.
The Green leadership may not be united in protesting at Ihumātao, but they claim a reprieve by saying that their government support is limited to the confidence and supply agreement.
Apparently, though, they are united on climate change, clean rivers and on achieving a rental warrant of fitness, guaranteed tenancies for renters and a rent-to-own scheme. Having already put enough pressure on the rental market to scare away private investors, it seems Davidson is also a very slow learner.
Wallpapering over the cracks in the Greens’ leadership is a temporary fix at best. Of more concern is that Davidson is already firmly ensconced in the lunatic fringe element of the Greens. These are the people who should remain hidden lest they scare off the new punters. Watch this space for a bust-up in the Greens’ leadership before the next election.
Unless she turns over a new leaf, Davidson’s history of trying to reclaim the “C” word and protesting as a radical foreshadows a short career in politics. Shaw should cut her loose before his party loses any more ground to the loonies on the left. Don’t worry James – being called sexist and racist is far better than jeopardising the future of the party.
You can read a transcript of the interview on The Nation here.