My friend Jordan Carter has written an interesting post around the issue of what is, and is not, a personal attack in politics.  I essentially agree with what Jordan has written.

To me politics can and should be a contest of values, vision, ideas and policies. You will see from this site that I have a lot of material that covers where I stand in all those matters.  I would actually much rather talk about where I stand on these things, but I believe we have to accept it is a contest. From time to time it is necessary to highlight what others who are seeking office are saying and doing to make clear the differences in the contest.

Some people find it difficult when these differences are at the values and vision end, rather than at the policy or ideas end of the continuum.  A person’s values and vision tend to be seen as more personal matters, but they are, in my opinion, vital to judging the kind of representative or leader someone will be. 

What I do not believe has a place is where there is discussion about things that are not relevant to the role someone is seeking or holds,  such as drawing in families or children (or lack thereof) or physical appearance or the like. Focusing on these things would, to me, represent a personal attack.

So, what does all this mean for what I might say about John Key.  In a political sense, I don’t trust him.  That is not, to me,  a personal attack.  Of course in an ideal world I would rather not write that sentence, but in the contest that is politics, I think it is important to say.  I don’t trust him because;

- I have read and seen examples where he has told one audience one thing, and another audience another thing on the same subject.

- He has consistently made comments against, and voted against, key Labour government initatives which he is now purporting to support.

-  His apparent lack of a core set of political values, and his reluctance to take a position on some issues.

When we are considering who is going to be our next Prime Minister I think it is important to be able to discuss these issues.  Sometimes this will involve robust langauge, and god forbid, the odd bit of humour.

I do acknowledge that drawing the line around these matters can be difficult, that context is important and that perspectives will differ on whether something is funny or a line has been crossed depending on where you stand.

It is vital that Labour continue to promote its positive record and vision for New Zealand, of which there is much to be proud.  I am running for Labour to continue and develop that agenda of fairness, opportunity and success.  At the recent Labour Congress many hours were devoted to discussing these issues- but you won’t see that on TV.

We also, however, need to ensure our opponents are held to account,  as I am sure they will do with us.  That is part of democracy.Â