Really interesting response to my suggesting that Gerry Brownlee go back to teaching

Honest, I was only joking when I suggested that Gerry Brownlee should retire from Parliament and head back to the classroom. I received a number of responses from people who have had enough of our Gerry.

My opinion is that Gerry and Nick Smith should both stand down. I know that the first thought which must go through a non-elected politician is that they have so much to offer and that they should stay. That’s not necessarily the way a political movement refreshes itself. It is important that parliament gets a constantly changing group of people, especially younger ones, who bring hope, new ideas and contemporary thinking to the place.

I have written many times that history will not judge Gerry Brownlee kindly. In my opinion the best thing he could do right now is retire gracefully and enjoy his family. I know that is a hard step. I’ve taken it myself. I suffered depression for the first time in my life after I stood down as Mayor. I chose to go. It must be much harder when you are rejected by your constituency. However, we can’t sit in the hot seats forever and, for those who are close to Gerry, its now time for you to advise him the door to a more relaxed life is over there…

Here are some of the responses I received from people about Gerry Brownlee after last week’s Tuesday Club notes:

here’s one:

Long-time Brownlee loather here. I must publicly admit that Brownlee’s loss totally eclipsed the rest of the election night results. Had to get over that before starting to process the magnitude of the win.

And another:

Please don’t encourage Gerry B to go back to teaching! I gather from a former teaching colleague of his that he was a real bully in that job. Don’t inflict him once again on the young folk.

And another:

Can I just say that the idea of Gerry teaching again is abhorrent? He was so un-PC he’d strap the kids for not playing rugby well, and sit in a pub drinking during sports events.

Think of the poor citizens of Christchurch who have had to endure his incompetence and unhealthy lifestyle look. It would be best for him to fade into the distance and never be heard from again.

I’m personally not sure that I would describe him as incompetent. I would say that he hasn’t been gifted with the ability to listen too well. When politicians rely on dogma too often they often forget to listen to contestable advice. This is what my observation is of Gerry’s performance as Minister for Christchurch. It is also worth saying that his style meant that he was the advocate for this City when most of the Cabinet he was in wanted to move on.