Auchinvole Chris: General Debate 
Auchinvole Chris: General Debate 
[Volume:641;Page:11588] 
CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National) 
: 
 Mike Moore’s mumblings on Muldoonism have been heralded as a blast from the past in some parts of the media and in some political commentary. The effect on Labour’s ranks has been I think that of an earthquake with seismic rumblings ricocheting in ever-expanding concentric rings round the person and personality of the present Prime Minister. The much-quoted “whiff of Muldoonism” comment hangs like a pall over the prime ministerial head and it has the persistence of a cloud that no amount of huffing and puffing by an angry Mr Anderton can dissipate. 
I have noticed during a long period of parliamentary watching and listening over the years that every now and again a remark is made that has such a ring of truth to it that no argument can effectively refute it. I think this is one of those occasions. It could be interpreted as a light remark. I think Mike Moore suggested that it should be seen and perhaps taken as a bit of a chuckle a bit of a laugh. But not everybody can respond in that way and the veracity of a remark often lies in the way it is received. I recall listening to a debate in which the Rt Hon Jenny Shipley was being harangued when she spoke. She was oblivious to the constant jibes and interjections being hurled at her by an ineffective Labour Opposition. An interjector called out to Jenny Shipley: “You’re weak-kneed.” Mrs Shipley responded: “Weak-kneed? Me? I don’t think so.” From the silence that followed while she concluded her speech it was clear that everyone else agreed with her. It was a moment of truth. 
It is a similar case with Mike Moore. He has given voice to a moment of truth and it was no good for Labour members to try to attack his perceptiveness—albeit it was piercingly painful for them—when he came out with his “whiff of Muldoonism” comment. If the electorate considers that his remarks fit like a jelly in a tin no amount of organising letter writing and tailored talkback calls will alter the expression of truth. But what is it that made the current Labour-lifers—and it is those from Mike’s era whom I refer to—in Parliament so enraged? Why did they respond with such anger? I think the Rt Hon Mike Moore’s comments have cut deep into the Labour psyche. What is that old quote—“that which we least like about ourselves”? Why have Mr Moore’s remarks caused such digestive heaving in Labour’s body politic? It is probably because its members think he is right. 
But there is more. He has taken not just the mind of the Labour body politic but also the mind of Labour’s caucus into a pattern of thoughts to which it is not usually allowed to stray. He has force-focused the mind of Labour’s caucus and the public mind on the leadership issue which is increasingly a question of vexation for them. Did he mean to do it? Did he mean to establish an expectation of an era ending? We may never know. Mr Moore may merely have followed an instinct in a responsive way in a lugubrious way mournful about Labour’s petty off-target perambulations against John Key which were destined to fail before they even started. We expected better but no it was almost a repeat of the Grey Valley schools situation. 
One thing is for sure: Mike Moore was smack on target and I can imagine him being highly hosed off with such transparent hopelessness in a party of which he was once proud to be a member along with a number of colleagues who are still serving in that party and who probably still feel the same. Fortunately he has a protégée in the House in the person of Clayton Cosgrove plus a number of others who probably share the same memories and opinions of Mike Moore’s tenure. 
I remember Mike Moore well. I remember him when he came to stand in Papanui against Bert Walker. He was supported by David Lange prior to the 1975 election. He was from Kawakawa. My wife and I knew David Lange quite well from his days in Kaikohe. So there was an element of us all coming from the same territory when we went to his meeting in Papanui. I asked both gentlemen why they adhered to the Labour philosophy and I remember Mike’s enthusiasm—an enthusiasm that has since been crushed.