Public show of support for Goodfellow

The Dom Post report:

National Party president Peter Goodfellow has fronted up at Parliament with Prime Minister John Key and declared that he has the full confidence of the party and its board.

Mr Goodfellow, who has been under pressure over suggestions that some board members wanted him removed, said today that the end of his marriage was probably what lay behind the speculation. He wanted people to respect his personal life.

Many people involved in politics has messy splits.

“My personal life is my personal life and I don’t think there is anything in my personal life that affects my ability to be president.”

That is how it should be, but in politics the perception is often more important than the reality. Stories about one’s personal life can undermine effectiveness in a role.

Mr Goodfellow said Mr Key had been aware of matters concerning his personal life because he told him after he was elected party president.

It is easier to say this with hindsight, but it may have been prudent to have that discussion before the election for President. Even if you have done nothing wrong, the fact one is going through an acrimonious split that may result in bad publicity is a relevant factor.

Mr Key said Mr Goodfellow, who was at Parliament for National’s weekly caucus meeting, had the confidence of the board.

“Most people are guilty of making the odd mistake in their personal life. Most people are accepting of that. Peter has my full confidence… there is nothing I’ve ever seen or [been] aware of that would preclude him from being president of the National Party or an office holder of the National Party.”

Indeed, let he is without sin cast the first stone is the old saying. Few people act blamelessly in a relationship.