Barry Soper: Politics can be nasty business, especially when you're the leader

Prime Minister Bill English surrounded by media at Parliament, Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Politics can be a nasty, thankless business, especially when you're the leader. You hold the future of those beneath you in your hands, most of them who come into this place do so because they genuinely believe they can make a difference, to make the country a better place.

The more ambitious of them would secretly love to become the Prime Minister, or at the very least a Cabinet Minister and if they hang around for long enough, keep their head down and their nose clean they can generally expect promotion.

So when the events of the past week happen, when as Labour's Andrew Little said the Prime Minister sprayed and walked away, leaving his former colleagues to cope with the spray, they break out in a cold sweat.

Bill English has been working his way through his caucus, talking about their ambitions and expectations, having to tell some of them their futures lay elsewhere. That was the case for two mild mannered, likeable men, who've had a relatively brief taste of the baubles of office but who'll now have to be happy with Christmas baubles instead.

Sam Lotu-Iiga, the first Samoan to hold a Cabinet post for National, fell on his sword before it was publicly wielded by English and Craig Foss did the same thing the following day.

So at last count English has got around five Cabinet positions he can fill without too much blood being spilled and even his old buddy, fellow Brat Packer Nick Smith was philosophic saying he approaches these things like a military exercise, he'll do whatever his boss orders him to, even if it's caucus tea boy. Given the broad smile on his face though there'll be no need for that quite yet, the baubles of office seem assured.

In Parliament's bear pit they bade each other farewell for the year with a distinct musical theme. Bill English got down and dirty quoting popstar Taylor Swift, crediting her with being an astute political commentator writing the line for Andrew Little with "Oh my God, you look like my next mistake." And even one for The Greens James Shaw "I'm a nightmare dressed up as a daydream."

Not to be outdone, Little quoted from Elvis' Blue Christmas, saying that's what the country's facing.

But totally outdoing them all was the Maori Party's leadership team, Marama Fox, on impressive Rosemary Clooney sounding vocals, accompanied by Te Ururoa Flavell on ukulele.

At least she won't have to worry about employment after politics, the lounge bar cocktail circuit beckons for this foxy lady!