My Take on This Week

If you ask me, this week is the dirtiest week in politics since Muldoon accused Colin Moyle of being picked up by the police for homosexual activities. Helen Clark has thrown out accusation after accusation at National.

However, while some mud sticks - I think Labour have completely missed the point the public see. Average Joe and Jane in the street hate politicians. They hate the way they always find money to spend money on 'stupid things' like centrally-heated prison cells for criminals and there is never enough for the 'good things' like hip operations. They don't understand how Government really works, just the "If I was Prime Minister I would/wouldn't let that happen" principle.

Along comes the Auditor General and says, "You spent money on yourselves illegally" and all average voters want is politicians punished. National fesses up and pays back its dosh - that earns some respect. But Labour keeps spinning, accusing and avoiding paying back the money - even the scheme to underspend is not seen by the average voter as a punishment as the Labour Party bank balance is untouched. While the amount owed is huge Labour would just have announced that it will pay the money back - even over several years - and they would've killed the issue in a few days.

And just like Muldoon forcing a by-election in Mangere ultimately led to David Lange having a landslide victory over him, Helen Clark's continued digging when she's already in a hole will probably cost her in the long run.

No-one will remember the contents of Don Brash's emails next week. They will remember that Helen Clark and Labour owe $800,000.

UPDATE: Yes, wrong person - I've corrected it. But in my defense I was in Primary School at the time so I can't remember everything from then.