The Baubles of Office

VUW Press launched last night their traditional post-election review book. I have all the previous ones so was delighted to be invited along. One of the chapters written by Rob Salmond and Peter Fitzjohn, was on the Battle of the Blog and I was one of those interviewed for it. The interview ironically took place in Canada. Rob was US based and I was in Canada so he crossed the border.

The book was launched by Winston Peters. I understand he accepted the invite to launch the book before they told him the title – The Baubles of Office. Winston was not overly amused and spent most of his speech attacking the cover title and the media. He did praise Jane Clifton though who wrote in the book that it was a noble sacrifice to change their position when the stability of the Government needed it. And it did give him the opportunity to repeat the maxim – never judge a book by its cover!

Lots of political types there, and quite a few POLS students. All very up on the latest US primary election positionings. Had a great chat to NZ First MP Brian Donnelly, who had a huge laugh when someone came up and asked me, but not him, to autograph their book.

I’ve read two chapters of the book already. Should keep me amused over Easter, finishing it. NZ Herald has a story on the launch here.