Blumsky to retire

I doubt anyone is surprised by Mark’s announcement today that he will retire at the next election.  He made clear a few months ago he wasn’t particularly enjoying the place.  I suspect he may have found it easier if he came in when National was in Government (Opposition can be quite soul destroying), but you generally never get to do without the other.

Mark talks about his friendship with MPs from other parties, and how he finds it hard to “hate” them.  I think that is slightly unfair on other MPs  to suggest they all hate their opponents.  In fact the old saying is your opponents are across the chamber, and your enemies in your own party!

What I think Mark is more alluding to, is that in politics you often have to do over people you quite like.  You don’t need to hate them, but you do need to fairly ruthlessly try and bring them down if they have stuffed up.  And that’s not the most pleasant thing to be doing.

When it is aimed at David Benson-Pope, who is near universally loathed, it isn’t an issue.  But it is a lot harder if it is someone like Damien O’Connor.  But it is important that Ministers are not held to a lesser standard just because they are more likeable.