Could Jacinda stage a political comeback in New Zealand?
What the world is saying about the Jacinda Ardern documentary, Prime Minister
A new documentary about former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s time at the helm has been released to mixed reviews from around the world.
Prime Minister, co-directed by Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe, premiered at Sundance Film Festival last week. It covers Ardern’s tenure as leader for five years and features home videos shot by husband Clarke Gayford and unheard audio clips recorded by the Alexander Turnbull Library’s Political Diaries project.
While many reviewers lauded the film for its introspection and showcasing the emotional toll of being a leader in today’s world, they also noted its glaring omissions of an in-depth look into the political frameworks.
I believe that Jacinda showed a level of political leadership during our once in a. century pandemic that lifts her in status as one of our Political Legends.
The despicable and vile hatered thrown at her by anti-vax malcontents and lonely fringe dwellers should collectively shame us.
While she has no reason to return and lead the country again after her vilification, could Jacinda stage a Political comeback if she chose to?
If she believed there had been things left undone that she believed she could now progress through,
If she believed there was a real chance this was a one term Government.
If she believed the people would give her the opportunity to finish that business.
I believe she could walk into any Auckland LEC and put her name down as a candidate and win selection.
Returning to NZ, winning back the trust of the people, becoming Prime Minister again, following through on progressive economic and environmental changes AND THEN go to the UN and become leader.
I think even post-Covid bitter voters compare Jacinda’s kindness state and the abusive bully state we have now and appreciate the difference.
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No. No comeback. Jacinda Adern has too much baggage. A good many critics might now forgive what they perceived to be the wrong approach later in the CoV pandemic – especially those in Auckland – but a good deal more will find it hard to forget she oversaw a majority government who, despite the mandate, appeared to do little, and in what they did manage to do allegedly did so without consultation of the wider electorate, She will be blamed for that. In any case, she is now knighted for her services and has moved on. As should the Labour Party.
Not well said Bozo you’re understanding of the reality of politics is as bad as Bob the farts.
Oh really? No expert but I’ve read Brian Easton’s good book and that’s given me some sort of overview. And before that Chris Trotter’s ‘No Left Turn’ and back in the day, well … Bruce Jesson… who could leave him out. But also enjoyed Steven Joyce’s fine memoir. And a few years of lived experience myself. Nah, Phil, you’re just pissed off that anyone would say something negative against her. Actually, I once supported Jacinda Ardern. Twice. And no lie, I was on the street in Grey Lynn early one evening and she walked up and hugged me. In her 2017 campaign for Mt Albert. Not random of course. We were introduced. After that she was always one of my favorite gals. But here’s the facts Phil: elected leader at the 11th hour and led Labour to a surprise victory in 2017. Fresh faced, clever, ambitious, and the right gender at the right time. Reelected in a landslide in 2020 during the CoV19 pandemic. No surprises. Resigned prior to the 2023 election citing burn out. I wish her no ill-feeling. How could you. But the Labour government of those years were, IMV, rather inept. No different really to the current coalition, or as the saying goes, same same but different.
Ok Bozo, Jacinda did not lead Labour to a surprise victory in 2017, she was anointed PM by Winston Peters the kingmaker in a tail choosing the preferred dog to wag game, that’s a very different scenario. What she did achieve in 2017 though was the saving of a lot of Labour furniture which Andrew Little was on course to lose. 2020 landslide was partly the result of the empathetic and decisive handling of a heinous terrorist crime and the onset of a once in one hundred year global pandemic. The Labour govt achieved a considerable lot including saving lives but you describe it as: “despite the mandate, appeared to do little, and in what they did manage to do allegedly did so without consultation of the wider electorate…” Well Bozo that sounds like a bob each way and words such as “appeared” and “allegedly” tell me you don’t really know what Labour achieved. BTW what Jacinda Ardern achieved internationally was forging New Zealand’s national identity and was highly respected by leaders and people around the world.
It’s unlikely, but you never know, once you’re out you’re out, but has she hung up her gloves, she’s got the looks over Luxon by a country mile, and she’s got youth on her side, being younger than most of National’s front bench, so could she do a Trump and seek another period in office, of course she is more than capable, but has her time away rekindled any spark or desire or motivation, to take over the reigns again, to once more guide the country with the steadfast fortitude she had in the face of White Island, He who shall not be named, Covid, while National politically fall about with their feet in their mouths over something as straightforward as replacing the InterIslander Ferry, when all they needed to do was already set up with the plan and contract put in train by Labour for rail enabled ferries, which did have a cost blowout from the terminal upgrade point of view, that National could have re-tendered if necessary, but instead have flushed away half a $billion on a contract break fee, without making any progress whatsoever, so at the end of the day, as John Key would say, he may have had another term tucked up his sleeve, but every dog has his day and he’s done his dash, but Jacinda may have some dash left, with the perspective that comes from time away from the seething cauldron, I for one and many others, could do with a little of her kindness, and hope that she not dismiss the possibility out of hand, but be guided by her political instincts, and being able to read the room, and the polling, and the mood, and her party, regarding the possibilty of a jacindamania2 sequel, fingers crossed!
Jacinda has a pleasant personality and charisma BUT she is a disciple of Blair and supports the status quo of low taxed wealthy versus heavily burdened poor.
Her refusal to allow wealth taxes to more fairly distribute income displays this.
Were Labour to come to power again with her as leader very little would change for the better.
Give Willie Jackson a shot at Labour leadership.
I think you are the first commenter who offers some thoughtful and rational comment stevie, thanks. It shows up how dense and rigid some of the commenters here are. Let’s look at the idea objectively then a bit subjectively. No-one can say Jacinda’s accession, if willing, can never work; it could never happen. Anything could happen – we now know this. Those who can’t think need to drop out and hide in their corners – they just hold us back in these unprecedented times.
Have a look at Dennis Potter’s Cold Lazarus and Karaoke etc. Shake your minds up, step back and look at our amazing, frightening world and read philosophy too. Oil your pliers and secateurs and open up your mind also do some pruning.
Karaoke and Cold Lazarus – Dennis Potter — Faber
Allen & Unwin New Zealand https://www.allenandunwin.co.nz
Cold Lazarus is set 400 years in the future. Feeld’s cryogenically preserved head is being commercially exploited. An American media tycoon realizes
Jackson as PM, Adern as deputy PM and minister of foreign affairs? I’ve thought for a while that the labour party needed someone just like Willie to lead it..
He’s Richard Prebble reincarnated, but with a heart and soul..
Have to agree. I didn’t go in for any of that Jacindamania stuff the first time. I don’t believe we need the media beating it into a frenzy again. Didn’t dislike Jacinda but didn’t think the right circumstances put her there. She was good during covid but eventually it got cloying.
Chippy’s ok-ish but he has baggage too and Labour desperately needs a new face.
I hope Willie Jackson has a go, if he wants to. There definitely needs to be a significant change.
The stale pale male and so-called stardust crowd have had a go.
As a contrast to luxon as PM, he’d be amazing. To have a PM who cares deeply about NZ, would be such a breath of fresh air.
Needs someone with mana and academic credibility. Someone with workers in mind. Jackson has those qualities.
Parker needs to be brought forward, not as leader but prominent.
Ayesha Verrall as deputy perhaps. She’s very bright but needs some polish with her presentation, because I’m afraid she would be attacked mercilessly. I very much hope that doesn’t put her off.
Hipkin’s experience would be invaluable in the background. He’s still young and has the energy to foster talented young MPs and become an elder statesman.
“..supports the status quo of low taxed wealthy versus heavily burdened poor…”
Well well well Jacinda isn’t a communist then, not even a socialist, a capitalist perhaps, how about a fascist?
No wonder this country is going down the gurgler with all these fuckwits about.
Oh, if only. A huge YES from us…
Jacinda back again?
No thanks. Not unless she commits firmly to introducing a capital gains tax or land tax, and to use that revenue to restore a free and effective public health service for everyone.
Yes indeed, JT.
Add to that wish-list a major mobilisation of decarbonising our economy.
If she could do those three things, Labour might win my vote once again.
If Labour remains “National-lite” then forget it. I’d rather stick with Te Pati Green.
I would welcome Jacinda back in a flash but the political system we have in place would just see her crushed again. Jacinda would make a great head of state as a President similar to the Irish system. Perhaps its time our political system was tweaked.
Good comment Neil, totally agree Jacinda would be the perfect head of state.
What would she be up against, a bald hairless middle manager, an incel who covered up for a disgusting homosexual pedo and for being an incel party leader and finally an ancient who changes what party he supports in coalition with more often than his underwear
Best PM NZ ever had.
Alongside Chloe, Nandor, Jim Anderton and Guy Fawkes, one of very few politicians ever to enter parliament with good intentions.
Was sickened to see the redneck mob turn on her at the demand of the far right. Animals, no wonder they are all INCELs who can’t get laid, what girl in her right mind would even think about giving one of that lot a root?
Best PM? HAHAHAHAH
Did Ardern build state housing (as opposed to selling off existing state housing at just as high a rate as anything new was built) like Savage and Fraser? Did Ardern build national infrastructure like Muldoon?
Walter Nash might have helped break the waterfront strike, but even he was more solid on unions than Ardern.
America is clueless about politics, they returned Trump. Tell me you are clueless.
Jacinda will go down in history as the leader that had the chance to deliver so much but delivered little of consequence.
Jacinda is a beacon and only a poor fuckwit mushroom like you would turn away from the light
There are plentyvonnthis feed whom agree with me .She did a lot for Jacinda but not much for NZ.
Ha ha ha “the plenty” are also poor ignorant mushrooms just like you
I like the fact the numbers of people who died from covid was significantly lower than most other jurisdictions. I like the FACT that our economy outperformed most others during and after the covid crisis. That you can’t see this proves you are a bit slow and probably a misogynist.
She‘s divisive and unlike Trump she has the self reflection to work that out.
If Ms Jacinda divides the sheep from the goats and gets enough supportive people who are prepared to go the hard yards then she would do. Do many realise how she brought NZAO to the surface from the murky waters of international politics and gave something good to cling onto for those in peril on the sea! There are still the submarines and drones types to deal with. there are no easy answers in our evil society and I think it is impossible not to get tainted, so need acuity about oneself and the choices of companions, commitment and trustworthiness, but hope glimmers.
Defenceless under the night
Our world in stupor lies;
Yet, dotted everywhere,
Ironic points of light
Flash out wherever the Just
Exchange their messages:
May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.
W.H. Auden
https://poets.org/poem/september-1-1939
This is the most ridiculous claim. Helen Clark, while no gem (sending troops to assist the US occupation of Iraq for example), would be a far better choice than Ardern. Though at least Ardern isn’t so much a vile traitor as Hipkins is.
She is a placeholder for a leader, just like Labour has paralysed itself into a placeholder for a government. Too scared to do what is necessary, no principles and morals beyond “we won’t do what National will do”.
Leaving frustrated idiots to vote in the frothing barbarism and traitors that have year on year plunged NZ into an ever greater state of destitution, while the big-fish-small-pond oligarchs and gentry point to their bank accounts, laugh and sneer.