Heather’s return

I actually think Heather did the right thing, in returning early to Parliament. Staying away for a full fortnight would have just meant the publicity around her return would have been delayed.

And on , she basically said the right things about putting the past behind, wanting to work with Rodney, and move on together as part of a team.

should accept these intentions in good , in my opinion.

If Heather wishes to remain an ACT MP, which she clearly does, then she has the right to do so. Any attempt to push her out (and I am not suggesting such a thing is planned) would just keep the bad publicity going.

Having said that, Heather may find the next 14 months pretty hard. Going from a Minister with 10 staff to a with one secretary is a hard adjustment, combined with the fact that previously you actually determined , signed off etc, and then as a backbencher your main parliamentary job is select committees.

Most MPs tolerate being a backbencher, because of the potential to be a Minister one day. I can't see any way Heather is going to end up being a Minister again. In fact I can't see anyway that Heather will be an MP after the next election, because the remaining party members (and ultimately the Board) are highly unlikely to give her a winnable list place.

So while I think it is a good thing Heather has returned from leave, and is wanting to get on with the job – she may find it is a pretty unappealing time.

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