Bill Dalton

Well the Labour Party has made their decision and David Shearer has got the nod. And I’m pleased – he seems to be a really decent fellow. Nevertheless Labour is taking a huge gamble by electing such an un-proven leader.

David shearer has only been an MP since 2009 having failed on two previous attempts to get into parliament. His work history is impressive indeed but since becoming an MP he has been largely invisible. My life is so boring that I watch a bit of parliament on TV and frankly Shearers performance in the house has been average at best. This in a house where the average performance of all members is appalling.

Becoming the leader of the Labour Party is a huge step up for David Shearer and I hope for his party’s sake, and because good politics needs strong opposition, he shapes up. I think he will.

Unfortunately the previous leadership team made such a mess of the party list at the recent election that Shearer is going to have to cope without some of the brighter, younger hopes for the future like Stuart Nash. I have no doubt that if Nash was back in parliament, Shearer would be looking to him to carry some real responsibility.

Stuart Nash has every right to feel bitter. Not towards the voters in his electorate, but towards the senior members of his own party who to put it simply, let him down. I would be surprised if Labour doesn’t find him something to do until a safe seat becomes available.

So where does David Shearer go from here? He’s only got 34 MP’s and some of them are well past their use-by dates (some of them of course have never been any use) so his options are limited. He will want to show that he is in charge and that Labour is a rejuvenated and potent opposition. That is a big ask.

Poor old Phil Goff will trot off to the back benches. I have always said that if I was looking for a good parliamentary team from across all parties, Phil Goff is one of the first I would select. However I would never make the mistake of having him as leader.

Annette King is struggling to hide her bitterness and I predict she will not complete this term. It would not be surprising to see King to step down mid term, perhaps to contest the Wellington Mayoralty, and who knows – that just might create a gap for Stuart Nash.

Have a great Christmas – I will resume my rambles in the new Year.

Somehow today I feel at peace.

Unusually there is no council meeting today so I can’t upset anyone there. The new version of the same government is taking shape and Winston Peters has shut up long enough for me to ignore the fact that he and his rag tag bag of lightweights have their snouts in the public trough. Those in Hawkes Bay who seem determined to paint us as some sort of backwater where only the unfortunate live, seem to have gone into Christmas mode or perhaps – just perhaps – they have cancelled their full page advertisements so they can donate those funds to the Christmas Cheer Fund. At least there, the funds will make a difference.

I think of my daughter battling the cold in London – although she must like the cold because she’s off to Russia for Christmas – and my son who will be rushing to catch the commuter train with all those who are heading for their offices in central Melbourne. Their choice I suppose.

Where on earth would you rather live? We live in an area that features two vibrant but distinctly different cities just 23km apart and small rural towns each with their own character. For those who want to get on and make a dollar, there is opportunity despite what the negative doomsayers say. We have a very good climate and good access to beaches, rivers, mountains and lakes.

For those who like to, and are fortunate enough to be able to travel, Hawkes Bay must be the best jumping off point in New Zealand. In less than one hour you can be in Auckland and from there you can fly to anywhere in the world. Always when I fly back into the sprawling metropolis of Auckland, I am thankful that one more short flight will have me home in Hawkes Bay.

One of the things I am often asked when I return from holiday is “what was the best thing you saw on your trip?” The answer is always the same – the green hills as we descended into Hawkes Bay.

Hawkes Bay has been home to my family since 1867. My father was the youngest of 13 born in Napier and I am the youngest of 4 all born and still living in Napier.

I only hope that in time my three kids all end up here. They all still regard the Bay as home so here’s hoping.