Evidenced by the recent backlash against Labor in the Victorian Elections, it appears that the people want change. Long term Labor Governments are “on the nose”. Anna Bligh is on the nose, Kristina Keneally & NSW Labor in general are also on the nose. Their next elections don’t bode well for them.
Both Anna and Kristina have come in at the end of a very long period of Labor government. Kristina got the poison chalice and the folk of Queensland appear to be tired so very tired of Labor. But what of Mike Rann? No doubt he believes he has a goal to drive South Australia into the future, following his own grand plan. Feeling as though he was annointed by Saint Don Dunstan (may he rest in peace), nothing will stop him from leading the state forth. But there’s a shelf life for everything and everyone. There comes a time when stepping aside and letting in someone with fresh ideas. Or is it all about breaking the record set by Bob Carr? Surely not.
Mr Rann is exhibiting such vanity ahead of the both the State’s and Labor’s interests – something akin to Howard in his last years. Instead of trying to break Bob Carr’s record, he should learn from Bob Carr’s actions by stepping aside. In my opinion, he should have stepped down prior to the last election. If arguments by the unions, the press or the electorate don’t change his mind, maybe a tempter of a better life post politics?
A personal appeal to Mike Rann
Imagine, Mr Rann, your retirement in the Italian countryside, writing epistles & tomes at your leisure. How much nicer would that be than being run out of office by an infuriated electorate? And wouldn’t stepping aside to let some fresher minds have a go be better for the party? By fresh, I don’t mean Kevin Foley. He may have been an effective parliamentarian, but his jackboot style and now, ineffective management of the Treasury is more on the nose to the public than you.
Funny thing is Mike Rann is not that bad of a person, it’s just the others in his government who pull his strings and make him toe their line. And he allows it. They haven’t been a bad government per se, this state is in the best shape it has been for years. However, the government has spent its vision and now looks like a tired and increasingly cynical bunch of old men.
I agree on the need for new leadership. Although it may not amount to much. Loss could be in the cards, regardless of who is leading. However, never put it past the Libs to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. I think, if Rann retires or is overthrown, he’ll be replaced by some not to well known factional hack, appointed just to keep the ship steady into the next election and avoid a huge voter backlash. Snelling or Rau would be my guess.
Interestingly, it is most likely the left, not the right that will bring this Labor govt down in the end.