Isaac Davison comment: Greens pick stability over broad appeal

New Green co-leader Marama Davidson brings stability to her party, but also risks.

The Greens have opted for stability over broad appeal in their choice of a new co-leader.

The selection of backbench MP Marama Davidson this morning finally fills the gap left by Metiria Turei eight months ago, when the former co-leader quit politics over a historic case of her lying over her welfare benefit.

Davidson's victory over minister Julie Anne Genter will heal some of the wounds left by Turei's resignation. Some Green members are still upset about Turei's treatment and have been concerned about the absence of a strong Green voice on social issues in the Labour-led coalition.

Davidson is a social justice battler of Maori descent who will keep the activist base happy. If Genter had won, members' resentment and party divisions could have festered. Like co-leader James Shaw, Genter is more centrist and known more for her environmental and economic credentials.

Davidson will play a valuable role in what is known as pastoral care. It means little to the public but it aims to make sure the caucus and party are looked after while Shaw and other senior MPs are busy governing. Minutes after being elected this morning, she said keeping the Greens together under the stress of governing would be her "number one goal".

But while Davidson brings short-term stability for the party, she arguably brings more risks to the Greens in the longer-term.

She does not have the broad appeal of Genter, who is more articulate and experienced and has a higher profile as a minister. While Shaw, a proven campaigner, may play a more prominent role at the 2020 general election, the Greens will need every ounce of appeal if they are to avoid being consumed by Labour.

Davidson has also promised to attack Labour more vigorously than Genter from her position outside the executive, which could backfire if she overplays her hand. It could be argued that this strategy did not work for Act or the Maori Party, whose vote dwindled in coalition with National.

Some Green members feel Davidson would be better placed championing the not-insignificant victories the Greens are winning as part of the Labour-NZ First coalition, such as the enormous lift in public transport funding announced this week.

For now at least, Davidson has ticked off one achievement. The Turei scandal has been pushed further into the background by her selection.

Davidson's next job will be to show that she can appeal to those outside the party, not just those within it.