nzherald.co.nz

Spy: Political Spy: Eyes turn to look for the main chance

By Rachel Glucina @RachelGlucinaNZ
5:30 AM Sunday Nov 13, 2011
Labour MP David Cunliffe. Photo / Janna Dixon

Labour MP David Cunliffe. Photo / Janna Dixon

Phil Goff rustled up only 31 Grey Power members at a Hastings hall on Wednesday so why are Labour MPs blaming David Cunliffe for the party's election woes?

It's no secret Cunliffe is disliked among the ranks and that he has ambition to burn. David Shearer is no big fan and has his eyes squarely on the leadership. Green co-leader Russel Norman has his eyes on being a minister, but presumably his coalition squint isn't directed to the red corner.

Polls suggest John Key has the election in the bag but he's trying hard not to appear smug. Good luck with that. His refusal to do many interviews will do little to rectify that image. Key took the Maori Party from Labour and if the Greens eye up the Nats, even in confidence and supply, Key has every reason to look smug.

Key has backed John Banks for Epsom. The cameras rolled with the question on everyone's minds: does Banksie use Botox? Even the visually-challenged can see there's been an image overhaul. The hair is chestnut brown, the glasses resemble Harry Potter's and the facial lines appear smoother. But if Banksie wants to come across as younger and sharper, he shouldn't stand next to Don Brash. Easy. As for Maurice Williamson, my moles tell me National is hiding him so he won't say anything stupid before the election. Labour must be thinking: Why didn't we do that with Cunliffe last week?

By Rachel Glucina @RachelGlucinaNZ

- Herald on Sunday

VeeDub (New Zealand) | 10:46AM Sunday, 13 Nov 2011
I am interested in reading opinion but Rachel your column seems to have devolved into some kind of school yard cat session. Keeping with the theme I think your teachers comments would be "This is very lazy reporting with little evidence of research. Please re submit."

To address the points raised:
In any organisation there are always going to be contenders for the top job. So thats a no brainer.

I fail to see the relevance in the botox and hair colour comments. Who cares.

Finally are you saying that National have so little faith in their MP's that they only let the one with the teflon smile speak? I dont think so Rach. I think you just dont understand ventriloquism. See if you can see Williamsons lips move when Key speaks.
Digby Green (New Zealand) | 08:54AM Monday, 14 Nov 2011
Yes Rachel
John Banks looks weird, I noticed him on tv the other day.
And what about the brown hair that Phil Goff has at the start of the campaign ? Was he trying to impress voters or his wife ?
Dave T (Nelson) | 10:57AM Tuesday, 15 Nov 2011
Can't be the voters I think you are the only one to notice. Will look if he is ever on the news again.
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