Armstrong on Key

John Armstrong writes:

In his handling of the first “crisis” to confront him as Prime Minister, John Key has been taught a few instructive lessons about not just keeping in step with public opinion, but the need to stay ahead of it.

In sending an Air Force Hercules to Malaysia in readiness to ferry stranded New Zealanders out of next-door Thailand, Key has emerged on the right side of the ledger after what was a mixed 24 hours for him.

For those who think it is the Government’s job to send planes to foreign countries, because those stranded don’t want to take the train.

On Monday, Key had talked confidently of the “options” available to his Government, including chartering an Air New Zealand plane or dispatching an Air Force passenger aircraft to Thailand to pick up the New Zealanders stuck there because of the blockade of Bangkok’s international airport.

Key, however, was left somewhat red-faced yesterday when he had to admit neither of the Air Force’s two Boeing 757s was available for a rescue mission because they were undergoing special maintenance in the United States.

Oh yes, the induction for all new PMs – learning how often there are no suitable Air Force planes available.

However, with Australia being seen to be doing more for its citizens marooned in the Thai capital, public sentiment was starting to shift away from the view that being stuck in Bangkok was simply bad luck to a view expecting the Government to make every effort to bring New Zealanders home as soon as possible.

I am not necessairly disagreeing, but I do wonder on what basis assertions such as “public sentiment was starting to shift” are made.