Unless a party has a systematic bias towards one sector of the population, it would be normal to expect that their candidates would represent a cross-section of the community – after all, talented, qualified people can be found in all groups; political aptitude is not just a Pakeha male trait.
So, it was kind of pathetic to see National trumpet it’s ‘diversity’ when it announced its list, given that the top 25 (ie likely Ministers in a National government) includes 21 Pakeha males. It’s not until the mid-30s that National’s list begins to look anything like New Zealand post-1950. But National MPs regard even having four women in the top 25 as tokenism and expect they would not get Cabinet posts. Here’s Chester Burrows (rank 32) in the Wanganui Chronicle:
Sorry, Pansy and Georgina, but the boys expect their places at the Cabinet table, and that doesn’t leave room for you. You’re just there to bring a midocum diversity anyway. Run along now girls, the boys have work to do.
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress
