Jacinda Ardern lets the side down

vickymeldrew

Disappointed that New Zealand’s Prime Minister has resigned saying she ‘doesn’t have enough left in the tank’.
My guess is that she wants to spend more time with her daughter but doesn’t like to admit it.

She said in her speech that there was no other reason, other than that she'd given. I think that needs to be taken at face value.

The New Zealand Prime Minister has said she has nothing left in her tank that’s it. She has done her job and can’t do anymore at least she is honest.

First of all I dislike the title of this post. I’ve always thought she conducted herself very well both at home in NZ and on the world stage. She will be missed by many.

Casdon

What a mean heading. What side has she let down?
Admitting that you have no more to give and stepping down at that point is admirable whatever you think of somebody’s politics or how well they have done the job.

Yeah I think that’s my take on it too.
She’s honest enough to say it and it’s a stressful job.

volver

Another voice of support for Ardern. If a male politician had resigned after 6 years in the job, having to cope with pandemics, terrorists and volcanic eruptions, would someone say they were letting the side down and probably just wanted to be at home with their baby?

Double standards there.

Never thought I would say this but totally agree with Volver! Knowing when it’s time to go is a strength not a weakness. Some of our politicians should learn from her.

Well, yes I hold my hands up and apologise for the headline on my post. Over the top - sorry.
However, I have always been irritated by the extreme reaction to Saint Jacinda. During the pandemic, I got cheesed off hearing how marvellous she was and what perfect policies she supported. The tide has turned and it seems she would struggle to be re-elected.
I would imagine it’s easier to run a country with 5 million inhabitants than the UK with 67 million.

Yes, smacked wrist for you vickymeldrew

Yes, I've heard mixed reactions from those who live in New Zealand and yes, 5 million inhabitants is certainly different from trying to hold together a rather Disunited Kingdom of 67 million.

She was an aide to Tony Blair, although she disagreed with him very strongly on a fundamental issue, ie war in Iraq.

The one thing she does have which many politicians lack, I think, is empathy.

vickymeldrew

Well, yes I hold my hands up and apologise for the headline on my post. Over the top - sorry.
However, I have always been irritated by the extreme reaction to Saint Jacinda. During the pandemic, I got cheesed off hearing how marvellous she was and what perfect policies she supported. The tide has turned and it seems she would struggle to be re-elected.
I would imagine it’s easier to run a country with 5 million inhabitants than the UK with 67 million.

Saint Jacinda

That explains a bit more.

But what "side" has she let down?

Of course it's easier to manage a country with a much smaller population. Has she said otherwise?

... and, in politics, the tide always turns, regardless.

She has a young child and she's likely not to be re-elected. Anyone with any sense would do exactly what she's done.

Being a PM is not a job for life anyway. I don't think she's letting anyone down.

Well done for coming back and being honest Vicky 👍

I would assume that many people in NZ are like people here ie forgetting how frightening the pandemic was when it first happened and how little we knew about it. And how fast she reacted compared to most world leaders. I think Johnson was still too busy sorting his divorce out and missing COBRA meetings when she acted swiftly to protect the people in her country.

Vicky good to see someone big enough to acknowledge an unfortunate choice of words.
Best wishes.

I think she has been a good leader because she had always acted in the best interests of New Zealand at the time.
Like you, Vickymeldrew!!, she has always apologised for mistakes and I admire that.
One of our DDs was in NZ when the UK backpacker Grace ?? was murdered and I remember Jacinda saying how much shame and hurt NZ felt. I always thought she had overwhelming empathy for people above systems, and I think she is just burnt out.

Exactly Joseanne, she’s burnt out, just like a ‘normal’ person would be after doing such a difficult job.
If you don’t find such a job draining, you are clearly doing it wrong

She also supported Trans people rather than protecting women's spaces and sports.
I was disappointed in her for that stand.

Did she Pinkquartz ? Oh☹️ Politicians keep folding when presented with the trans conundrum.

Into origami is she?

Maybe she just ( whisper it ) thinks its the right thing to do?

Does Nichola Sturgeon think it’s the right thing to do? Or does she think it’s a vote winner.
Am a bit cynical about politicians tbh.

A vote winner? 🤣

Michty me, you have got the wrong end of the stick.

Anyway, back to Jacinda...

I’m with team Jacinda. It’s a brave thing to admit you should stand down. Shame some of our muppets don’t follow suit.

I don’t know volver it could well be a vote winner, the trans lobby is getting bigger and bigger.Both Sturgeon and Ardern weren’t worried about womens rights anyway.

Nah, they don't care about women's rights.

"Captured", they are.

Nasty post OP .....she wants to go...then thats fine

How has she "let the side down" just because she has resigned?

She’s Drakeford in a dress. Too much ‘nanny state’ and locking down to the point she felt she had all the answers. She didn’t. And a lot of Kiwi’s have paid a hefty price for her hubris.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.