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Willie Jackson Column

Danger man Jones is the great brown hope

Labour list MP Shane Jones is on a mission to drive the Maori Party out of Parliament.

He says that they're traitors to their people.

Some political experts call him the danger man and tip him to take over as Labour leader.

He’s well-qualified with his impeccable qualifications as a Harvard scholar, lengthy experience as a senior public servant and leadership in Maori fisheries.

He’s an exceptional orator and one of the best exponents of te reo Maori in the country.

His CV leaves no doubt he’s prime minister material, but the worry for me about Jones is his view that in order to achieve acceptance with his peers and most New Zealanders, he must unravel and expose the Maori Party, and as a consequence all things
Maori.

Some time ago when I interviewed him he made it clear that when he joined Labour, he was Labour first and Maori second – music to most Labour stalwarts, who would never want to see the return of any more stroppy Tariana Turia types in the party.

Add to that his view that the tino rangatiratanga flag should be called Hone’s flag, his opinion the Maori Party’s vision for the future is based on some sort of ongoing colonial oppression as represented by Harawira, and you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking it’s only a matter of time before he is seen as the next Winston or Tamihere.

Great brown hopes are unfortunately what too many Kiwis and media hacks yearn for.

They want Maori political leaders who’ll put the likes of the Maori Party in their place and label anyone with a pro-Maori view as separatist. They will sell off their principles if there is any possibility of power or leadership.

Ironically for Jones, Labour’s record is against him.

The party he espouses as the egalitarian answer to our woes has never had either a Maori leader or deputy.

In fact in its entire history no Maori has ever been selected for a safe general Labour seat.

Jones himself is considered not worthy enough to hold a seat, despite being clearly superior to most of Labour’s electorate MPs.

It’s that inherent racism that pervades Labour that will probably prevent Jones from capturing the top
job.

But if he keeps kicking the Maori Party and embellishing his reputation as the great brown hope who knows what might lie ahead for the danger man Shane Jones .

Auckland Stuff.co.nz, February 18, 2010

By willie fan

hehe Shane is no longer in the closet. He like most of the brown brothers do not give a stuff that the world knows we all like buff movies but the Maori party are the winners from his demotion.

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By Mr Anderson

Agreed he has got the goods, no question there, if not standing, status, academic qualifications and social acceptability included. Actually I would go so far to say he is so good, he is too good for his own good. He doesnt need to rub anyones nose in it, because he really could. He doesnt need to throw mud at the Maori party, again easy fodder for Jones, but heres the rub.
Kiwis have accepted that Maori politicians have vices, moreso than other kiwis I think, and it is here where a rather brilliant, almost born to it leader will be picked to bloody pieces in the 2percent of crap that does not figure for anything over the other 98percent brilliance, keep him on board.
In short, we and I mean including Maori are probably not ready for Jones and that is a reflection of kiwis and our piss poor attitude to Maori politicians as a whole. We expect conflict, anger, passion and unfortunately failure as part and parcel for the Maori politician and on that Jones does not fit that pitiful (accepted) model. He is probably too pragmatic in the eyes of Maori who expect the next generation of Maori leaders to act like the ones of old. There is a reason Harawira is popular, and that is because he fits that accepted model too bloody well!

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By JT FAN

Shane Jones has got it right as he coined the phrase "Hone's flag". Unfortunately his educated pompous voice does not go down well for any party voter. He has an unfortunate tendency to talk down to people.
I must say however, that the Maori People might have a leader here. I do think he knows how to negotiate without the battle cry or demands for more Kiwi Taxpayer money for the iwi! Be concerned Willie as you are no match for his intellect!

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