Editorial: Political battles with Paula

Wouldn't you just hate to be Paula Bennett? The Social Development portfolio must surely be the death knell for any politician in a recession.

There is only one role that could possibly be worse - the woman working in Paula's shadow.

Where Paula is, you're sure to find Jacinda Ardern spitting tacks behind her. And last week's parliamentary performance by our Minister was the WINZ woman's way of kicking back.

The news mill began churning - Paula had given young Jacinda a dressing down.

The excitement was too much. I was imagining scenes of Paula's head turning 360 degrees, like the demon-possessed in The Exorcist. I imagined male MPs scattering, hiding beneath tables while thunder rumbled in the heavens. Paula standing - arms outstretched - summoning some hellish power to obliterate her enemies.

I imagined with one icy glare, Jacinda would freeze, her lips numbed from again uttering "Limited Service Volunteer Training", or "privacy breaches".

What did she say?

Scenes from The Devil Wears Prada rolled on my mind's big screen. Frames of the lowly assistant Andy Sachs (Jacinda) cowering beneath the roar of ruthless magazine editor Miranda Priestly (Paula).

A YouTube search later - the scene revealed itself as nothing more than a verbal clip round the ear.

Did Jacinda deserve it - yes!

Should Paula have said it - no!

If we all said what came to mind, we'd be divorced, jobless and forlorn. Paula did herself no favour by spewing out her patronising tongue lashing.

We expect more from our leaders. Paula, in your own immortalised words - perhaps you should "Zip it, sweetie."

Still - I'm encouraged Jacinda has since melted and has a new mouthful of tacks to spit at Paula. Ticket to Oz anyone?