Now, I don’t disagree with Judith that she is a strong woman. She’s formidable.
But I do disagree with her that people don’t like strong women, because what is Helen Clark if not a strong woman? So strong, they used to say that the softest part of her was her teeth - and yet she was elected and re-elected by the New Zealand public three times.
That’s more than Jacinda Ardern achieved and Jacinda Ardern is not what I would call a strong woman.
Now, look, I realise there are too many variables to ever make a truly fair comparison across elections like that. But if you did strip everything else out, you’d look at it like this: Helen, the strong woman, won three elections, compared with Jacinda - the milder personality - who won two and only really won the second because of COVID.
Judith Collins doesn’t explicitly blame the fact that she’s a strong woman for her poor showing at the polls when she led the National Party - what did she come in at, 24 percent or something like that?
She’s really referring to the fact that she copped more outrage for rolling a sitting MP for a seat in 2002 than John Key did for doing the same thing in the same year.
But just for the avoidance of doubt: Judith’s problem as leader of the National Party was not that she was a strong woman. In fact, that was part of her attraction at the time.
The problem was that she was up against Jacinda in the COVID election, which was really a hiding to nothing - and she was doing weird things like praying in church for the cameras and making comments about fat people during the campaign. Much as I might have agreed with her, that was not a smart move.
But I really wish that women like Judith would stop blaming their gender for how people react to them because more often than not it is not their gender that’s the problem - it’s something else. And by blaming their gender, they’re avoiding being honest with themselves and honest with others about what that other thing is.
More importantly - much, much more importantly - this reinforces to younger women that they’re up against it simply because they’re women, that being a woman, and especially being a strong woman, is somehow a problem.
It is not a problem. People like strong women. Most of us have strong women for mothers.
Heather du Plessis-Allan is a journalist and commentator who hosts Newstalk ZB's Drive show.
12 comments:
Nobody should mind anybody 'strong'. Question would be how to define strength and whether people attain a position of power due to sheer competence or favoritism and nepotism. Remember, weak leaders surround themselves with even weaker yes women and yes men. They make sure to block the more competent people below them from ever advancing. Ask anybody in any NZ organization.
Methinks Judith and her ilk too often conflates "strong woman" with "unpleasant human being".
Well said, Heather.
You are a strong woman, and we like you !!
"But I really wish that people like Judith would stop blaming their gender...". I really wish that people like HdP_A would stop using 'gender' when they mean 'sex'. You would think that someone who uses the English language to communicate with would understand grammar, let alone biology.
'Strong women' include Margaret Thatcher. She was certainly 'strong' but at the same time was feminine in her speech and appearance. Quotes include "I hate feminism. It is poison" and "I owe nothing to women's lib." I certainly would have voted for her had I been British.
Ms Collins is a brilliant person. But she missed one big opportunity as the National leader - she was not permitted by the party's mandarins to spearhead a major attack on He Puapua." Demand the Debate was quickly shut down. National knew the damage planned for 2020-2023 but did not challenge this. If so, Ms Collins 's legacy would be much more impressive - as well as National's own reputation.
A replacement ratio of 1.5 is the consequence of NZs strong women syndrome. NZ is toast from this self inflicted genocide. Butter chicken tsunami is the result.
Good riddance to the pearl clutching class of old Judith C.
Full of her own self-importance with no qualms about scowling at all kiwis like we were some shameful disinherited nieces/nephews.
Her only skill was apparently monitoring social media comments and championing toilet drills for sailors.
She won't be missed.
I have felt that in recent times that Jubith has complied with Luxon's demands regarding keeping quiet on race issues.
Otherwise, Judith has called a spade a spade and by being very direct will be a name to be remembered.
I "liken" the Hon. Judith Collins to Hillary Clinton.
To clarify - she had the ability to deal with -
- as Min of Police, many matters criminal, but will be remembered more as "Crusher Collins", a 'moniker' she gained , which followed much published photo a the time - did it resolve the problem then, no, thus we still have that problem now - "boy racers".
- The Legal Profession, particularly those with the "Honour" of being a Kings Council, after they (all 40 of them) signed an open letter to the Govt over David Seymour's TOW Legislation - an act that was outside "their professional domain" - please note that JC is now going to be 'their boss' - and we have not been made aware of any hands "being smacked" over that incident.
- The Head of the NZ Military over this particular Lady's stance on what the NZ Army (no doubt Navy as well, the RNZAF have already 'bent the knee') and her appearing before the Waitangi Committee on how "she" was going to implement 'Matters Maori' into the Military Curriculum - JC sought a "pause" but for how long?
- The RNZ Navy over the shambles of a Naval Crew "sinking" a multi million $ vessel. which should seen "Navy Hierarchy" being made to walk the plank. But no JC was very happy "no lives were lost" and now we have a "secretive" Naval Courts Marshall taking place.
Were is the news up date JC - sorry she has been part of Govt that likes 'crickets'.
If anyone watched the House in session, you may have observed JC, whilst seated during the debates - using her mobile - to me she was on a par with Jacinda A, who when sitting in the Opposition Benches (the 9 Years of the Key Govt) - she also spent most of that time on her mobile.
So I concur with Anon, 5 May @ 11:26AM.
Also to BV, Maggie T made herself unpopular with Her Conservative Colleagues, so they "rolled out the skateboard and a Queens Honour", just to get rid of her.
The next females (as PM's) that followed -
- Theresa May
- Liz Truss
also got the 'skateboard' removal, but not a Kings Honour.
SO Bye Bye Judith, you will not be missed.
Didn't like her. She was a competent politician though , so rare these days. I'd put Annette King in the same category. Competence is the rare quality not strength.
“Jacinda Ardern is not what I would call a strong woman.”
No evidence provided. Ardern was obviously a strong woman leading the country through unprecedented global and national events. Gosh Heather duplicity Allen, it doesn’t get any worse than a reckon-based opinion bobblehead. What have you done lately for us?
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