Lockwood rules the roost

Trans-Tasman's annual ranking of our pollies is out, and Speaker Lockwood Smith is a surprise bolter to the top of the pile.

The perenially cheerful Dr Smith has pipped even the Prime Minister, John Key, vaulting from 5 last year to 9.2, just above Key on 9 out of ten.

Trans-Tasman says Smith is the best Speaker in more than 50 years and has held the executive to account, creating "an overdue infusion of good sense and a real commitment to Parliament''. 

National will be fuming at Smith scoring top place, since they consider him to be far too smug already. I'm not sure I would have scored him ahead of Key, although certainly he'd win most improved. In hindsight, the appointment was inspired.

Key is described as "a political phenomenon, a truly remarkable PM who has proved effective leadership doesn't depend on decades of parliamentary experience''.

Hmmmm. That, too, is a little over the top in my opinion. It's a bit early in Key's tenure to describe him as either a phenomenon or truly remarkable. He may turn out to be, but one year in the top job is not long enough for that kind of praise.

I'd agree he deserves a higher ranking than any other politician this year, by virtue of his ability to brush off controversy, find commonsense ways around seemingly intractable problems, and his personal warmth, which has made it easy for him to build and maintain relationships.

But I still believe Key has yet to be truly tested as prime minister. All of the crises he dealt with this year were relatively minor by the standards of what Helen Clark had on her plate (even if some of them were of her own making). Neither has he yet fulfilled the promise he shows.

Bill English got 8 out of 10, which I reckon is also a little on the high side. Apart from a reasonable Budget, English let the Government down this year and lost some of his credibility over the housing allowance saga.

Of the other Cabinet ministers, Simon Power got 8.5 (no argument there), Tony Ryall 8, Nick Smith 7.5, and Judith Collins 7, all of which sound about right. Gerry Brownlee got 8, which might be a wee bit inflated.

The lowest-ranking Nats were Colin King ("may not have noticed National is in power") and Paul Quinn ("Thinks he's one of the guns. He isn't.'') both on 2 out of 10. Again, no arguments.

Labour leader Phil Goff's fallen from 7 last year to 5.5, which is a bit harsh in my view. Trans-Tasman says he hasn't under-performed, it's just that everyone likes Key so much. Granted he's made the odd slip, but I'm not sure what more he could have done this year. Opposition is tough, and Goff has struggled for air time. I'd have given him a 7.

Confusingly his deputy Annette King scored 6.5, which I think is strange given she's been pretty quiet and in my opinion has failed to get the better of Paula Bennett in Parliament, as had been expected.

None of the other Labour MPs have ranked very highly. David Parker got 6, while at the bottom end Ashraf Choudhary got 1, which I think was pretty generous actually.

Among the minor parties, ACT leader Rodney Hide got 4, down from 5.5, and fair enough, too. He ranked lower than his other MPs, with Roger Douglas and Heather Roy getting a 5, John Boscawen 4.5, and David Garrett a 4.

The Maori Party scored the only 0 in the survey, which went to Hone Harawira. Trans-Tasman notes "his appalling behaviour was a disgrace''. Maybe, but that shows up the perspective of its authors. To rank him below Colin King or Choudhary is silly. At least he works hard for his electorate, even if he is a firebrand blowhard.

Co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia both got 7s, which they deserved.

The Greens, who celebrate their 10th anniversary in Parliament today, didn't have a great run, with top spot going to Jeanette Fitzsimons, who's retiring. Co-leaders Russel Norman and Metiria Turei both got 4s and most of the others 3s. It hasn't been a stellar year for the Greens.

Peter Dunne got a 4 and Jim Anderton a 3.

Overall Trans-Tasman has it about right, as usual, although I think it slightly favours the Government, particularly the ministers.

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