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Political commentators Chris Trotter and Matthew Hooton told TVNZ News at 8 that Rodney Hide has further to fall than Hone Harawira over their recent falls from grace.
Trotter says Harawira has been the worst offender in moral terms and his email comments were very damaging but he says Hide is the most vulnerable because he enjoys a higher place in the pecking order and has "much further to fall". Hide has taken a "very big knock to his reputation" says Trotter, adding Harawira has always had a rough reputation.
Hooton says the general public had some sympathy for Harawira bunking off a formal trip to go sightseeing in Paris but he says the sentiment behind Harawira's email is damaging. It is not so much the words, says Hooton but the collective abusing of all pakeha.
Hooton says while Hide obeyed all the rules he has made his name as a perkbuster and had to be whiter than white. "His is a brand issue," says Hooton who would like to see someone like the Act leader address the issue of retired MPs still using travel perks.
"MPs see this travel privilege as absolutely their right...as part of their remuneration," says Hooton. He says the public may accept sitting MPs using the privilege but he says he takes issue with retired MPs who were defeated by the voters yet "live with this perk for the rest of their life".
Hooton says what Hide did was on the verge of being unforgivable but he is contrite . He says a lot of New Zealanders have a soft spot for Harawira but his email is very damaging to the Maori Party.
Trotter says Hide has laid himself open to the charge of hypocrisy because he has been ruthless in the way he hunted down people he thought were abusing entitlements. He says Hide has been seen to have breached his own moral code but now realises the damage he has done.
But Trotter says his incautious comment at a business breakfast will not be appreciated by Hide's cabinet colleagues. However he says Harawira is in a very strong position with his party and is enormously popular in the north and in many pakeha circles.
Harawira has made it clear he has found dealing with a National government very difficult and he is genuinely representative of the people who voted for him. Trotter says the Maori Party have to persuade Harawira to do something which will shut the debate down.
The analysts agree that John Key needs both the Act and Maori parties to stay on board so he can feint to the left or to the right depending on the legislation.
What do you think of Rodney Hide's apology? Share your
thoughts on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentcornflower said on 2009-11-09 @ 10:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
The hypocrisy of Hide defies belief.
lizblack said on 2009-11-09 @ 09:00 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with Adam that a law change is needed. MP's MUST practise what they preach. It's sad that Rodney Hyde has only changed his mind over misuse of funding because of public outcry. Taxes are not paid to pay for indulgences.
dancingqueen said on 2009-11-09 @ 05:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
OK! while your arranging for Rodney's neck. Sack Chris Carter the little pansy, who was every bit as bad swanning around with his boyfriend, at the Tax Payers costs. He is hopeless case. I would like to see him gone by lunch time.
santa0007 said on 2009-11-09 @ 04:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bring back Winston Peters, Many towns & cities could do with his expertise than these guys. Maori things for Maori people,simple really, the Govt has all the marbles, nothing wrong with playing with them.
peteredw said on 2009-11-08 @ 20:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good on you, Rodney, for admitting you did wrong. We all do the thing at times and it takes 'guts' to admit our wrongdoing. I accept your apology and will continue to give ACT my Party Vote in elections.