Editorial: Dear Mr Key, perception is everything

First limos, now helicopters.
Prime Minister John Key's enthusiastic use of air force transport on the back of the ministerial limousines debacle begs a worrying question - is the power going to his head?
In Thursday's Bay of Plenty Times, it was reported Mr Key was under fire from opposition parties for using the air force Iroquois last Saturday to attend the Hamilton V8s before flying to a black tie dinner at the Royal Auckland Golf Club in Otahuhu, Auckland.
The chopper was wheeled out because of concerns heavy traffic at the car races could delay the PM getting to the dinner.
Labour's Trevor Mallard led the charge, accusing the prime minister of using the chopper for a quick photo opportunity and then racing to Auckland at what he says could be a cost of up to $10,000. His leader, Phil Goff, chimed in by demonstrating how he was wisely using taxpayer money to carry out his job as opposition leader.
In our view, air transport should only be used in extreme circumstances to get the prime minister to a state function or crucial meeting on time while maintaining a busy schedule.
But this is a far cry from sitting in the driver's seat of Hamilton V8 supercars winner Shane van Gisbergen's car for a photo.
Yes, it is important for the prime minister to attend functions and be seen. But it is important he and his minders also remember plenty of people are doing it tough and it is their money they are spending. The helicopter incident comes after the furore over the 34 new BMW limousines being bought for Cabinet ministers. One even has heated seating.
A related incident was acting prime minister Bill English being accused of letting privilege overtake common sense after his limo and security detail illegally double-parked while he got a haircut.
Perception is everything.
Mr Key is proving himself to be a capable leader and both he and National are enjoying a wave of popularity in the polls. But he should remember he is not King.
Having said all this, Mr Mallard and Mr Goff would do well to remember a few transport controversies involving their own former prime minister, Helen Clark.
After bad weather grounded commercial flights in October 2008, just before she was tipped out of power, she commandeered an air force plane to whisk her to an appointment. But this was no critical emergency meeting. It was to address Grey Power members at the Invercargill Workingmen's Club.
This followed her motorcade breaking the speed limit to get her to an All Blacks test in 2004.
Ah yes, memories surely are short in politics.