Exit Jones, stage north
I will miss having Shane Jones in the Labour tent.
That isn’t because I agree with him on everything. Disagreeing with people is part and parcel of party politics, especially in a party that aspires to be a broad church like Labour does. And it’s healthy, too. I am with Josie on this one.
I will miss Shane because he has a rare ability to take progressive values like compassion and a drive for equity, combine them with impressive insights into the real world machinations of businesses and economies, and communicate it all to people in a voice they appreciate. A voice that was authentically Shane’s, showing no outward signs of being twisted and reshaped by legions of spin doctors. Not too many spin doctors carry a big bag of “etceteras” to sprinkle like parmesan.
It is Shane’s authenticity, over and above the content, that allows him to connect widely across the community. One of the best bits of communications advice is to take all the other advice and wrap it tightly in a cloak of personal authenticity. People are less likely be persuaded by you if they feel they are being manipulated.
I know my sympathetic view of Shane is not universally shared within Labour. I think that is a shame for our party. We talk the talk about being a broad church and representing many diverse interests (social service liberals, champions of workers’ rights, Tino Rangatiratanga campaigners, light Green ecologists, etcetera.) But for my money we have a good way to go in walking the walk.
I hope Shane enjoys his new role, and I think people of the Pacific will really appreciate having a compassionate, knowledgeable advocate and adviser. Their gain is our loss.