Fortune's Children: Under extraordinary pressure, the leader of the Government and the leader of the Opposition will each show us what they are made of. Have they been blessed with intelligence, grace, wit, poise, toughness, empathy and humour – and in what measure? More importantly, to what extent have they been infused with that sacred fire the Ancient Greeks called charisma? Which of New Zealand’s prime ministerial contenders, the incumbent or the challenger, shows the most signs of Fortune’s favour?
NEW ZEALAND POLITICS under the Lockdown will be played out
in two locations. The Beehive: where Jacinda Ardern and her key ministers and
advisers will oversee the national effort to eradicate the Covid-19 virus.
Parliament Buildings: where the Epidemic Response Committee, chaired by Simon
Bridges, will hold the Prime Minister, her government, and the country’s
leading public servants to account. Live broadcasts of government announcements
and committee deliberations look set to provide New Zealanders with some of the
most dramatic political performances of the Covid-19 drama. While the Lockdown
lasts, these exchanges will constitute the beating heart of our democracy.
It didn’t have to be like this. Another Prime Minister,
another Government, would have dared the Opposition to withhold its support
from a State of Emergency declaration and put it before the House of
Representatives regardless – relying on its majority to carry the day. The
Government’s political surrogates would have denounced viciously any Opposition
party foolish enough to abstain or, worse still, vote “No.” In a crisis as
serious as New Zealand’s Covid-19 epidemic, any suggestion of non-co-operation
couldn’t help but marginalise – even demonise – an obstinate Opposition. A more
Machiavellian Prime Minister would have found it impossible to resist the
temptation to manoeuvre his or her principal adversaries out of electoral
contention, or, failing that, out of the public eye (which amounts to the same
thing) in this way.
But not this Prime Minister. Understanding that any
marginalisation of her opponents; any diminishing of accountability; would
remove the incentive to carry out her duties openly and effectively, Jacinda
deliberately subjected herself to Bridges’ scrutiny.
Secrecy not only encourages incompetence and failure, but it
also allows them to remain hidden. It is a powerful testament to the Prime
Minister’s personal determination to bring the New Zealand people safely
through this crisis that she has refused the protection which secrecy and
exclusion provide. The better Bridges does – and is seen to do – the more
Jacinda will have to lift her game.
The onus now falls upon her colleagues and her officials to
look after the PM by not stuffing things up!
It is only fair to acknowledge, however, that there is an
element of benign Machiavellianism in giving Simon Bridges the starring role in
the Epidemic Response Committee drama. If he does his job responsibly and well,
then Jacinda’s performance will improve.
Win.
But, if he performs irresponsibly and badly: if he cannot
resist the siren song of reckless negativity; if he simply cannot live with the
thought that a consistent display of moderation and competence on his part will
only enhance Jacinda’s prime-ministerial performance; then he will be drawn to
the Dark Side of the political Force – and the whole country will be watching.
Win-Win.
Which can only mean that we, the voters, are winners too.
Because even in the midst of this unprecedented
public health emergency, and the economic crisis it has spawned, the
logic of representative democracy continues to play itself out. Under
extraordinary pressure, the leader of the Government and the leader of the
Opposition will each show us what they are made of. Have they been blessed with
intelligence, grace, wit, poise, toughness, empathy and humour – and in what
measure? More importantly, to what extent have they been infused with that
sacred fire the Ancient Greeks called charisma? Which of New Zealand’s
prime ministerial contenders, the incumbent or the challenger, shows the most
signs of Fortune’s favour?
The answer is located not only in the minds of New Zealand’s
voters, but in their guts. As always, in the rough and tumble of democracy, political
outcomes owe at least as much to how we feel, as to what we think.
So, one day into Lockdown, how are you feeling? What do you
think?
This essay was originally posted on The Daily Blog
of Friday, 27 March 2020.
