By Duncan Garner
Jim Anderton has never suffered from a crisis of confidence. Nor does he do fake modesty.
Asked how he could justify being the Mayor of Christchurch and a local MP at the same time, he suggested it would be so easy he could do it “standing on his head”.
What an ego! But now he's been well and truly caught out and his reluctant backdown has begun.
He now says he will quit as Wigram MP if he wins the mayoralty. Big deal. It's too late Jim. It's taken Anderton nine days since the earthquake to get to this position. The truth is the mayoralty was, and always will be a full time job.
And Anderton's now recognising that. But the political damage has been done. He's been too slow.
Rightly, Anderton gave Mayor Bob Parker his space after the earthquake - he really had no option otherwise. But Anderton has dithered over the past few days about whether or not to change his stance on staying on as an MP as well as Mayor, should he get elected.
I always thought his position of refusing to quit Parliament left him exposed. And so the day has arrived.
It looked greedy and egotistical - even if he was willing to donate the salary. And now it's all come home to roost. Bob Parker has looked measured, caring and approachable. He has started a job that he will now ask his voters to let him finish. He should be judged in three years time.
Anderton is also likely to get nailed by Parker now - after early polls showed him ahead. But Parker, in my view, deserves to stay in office - he deserves to finish this huge job.
There's no doubt Anderton has had a long and distinguished career. His greatest achievement is the establishment of Kiwibank.
His Progressive 'Party' will collapse once he leaves. He has no desire to see anyone build on his legacy. The party is Jim, Jim is the party. As the Alliance found - there is no room for anyone else. His party, if you can even call it that, has morphed into the Labour Party anyway. His previous Progressive candidates now carry Labour Party membership cards. Look at this: Josie Pagani wants Labour's nomination for Mana in the upcoming by-election, but she's working in Anderton's office right now. Her husband works for Labour at a very high level. The Progressives don't really exist.
Anyway, back to my main point. It's Anderton's position of wanting to hold two public offices and draw two public salaries at the same time that was unsustainable. It's caught up on him. Big time.
The fact he wasn't nimble enough to spot it days ago - shows he's not as in touch with the needs of Christchurch post this earthquake, as he should be.
He should consider pulling out now - and let Parker run uncontested. That would be gracious. Does Anderton have it in him? I doubt it. But watch this space.
I know I'm arguing against democracy but will the city be any worse off without Jim? Hardly. Only in his own mind.
And the last thing the locals down there need right now are wannabe mayors bitching at each other. Go quietly Jim. Go with your head held high. You've had a stellar career.