Jacinda Ardern has resigned as Prime Minister of New Zealand. After a period of reflection over the summer break, she concluded that she no longer had ‘enough left in the tank’ to do the job justice.
Fakery wasn’t the problem with Ardern. Sincerity was
Cynics claim she is jumping ship before the electoral defeat that opinion polls suggest she and her Labour party will suffer in October’s general election. That’s an unkind thing to say. It must disappoint Ardern that, after almost six years at the helm, New Zealand still contains such unpleasant people. If there is one thing that Ardern is all about, and to which she has dedicated herself as Prime Minister, it’s kindness.
As she put it in her resignation announcement, ‘I hope I leave New Zealanders with a belief that you can be kind but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused’.
Not everyone who indulges in moral self-congratulation is insincere.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in