Helen Clark’s ‘restraint’ lesson for Christopher Luxon

Clark understood that coalition leadership was never about eliminating disagreement. It was about containing it. Ministers could argue fiercely behind closed doors. Coalition partners could push the limits of patience. But once decisions were made, the Government spoke with one voice. That discipline was tested repeatedly during Labour’s third term. New Zealand First opposed the China free trade agreement, although as a confidence-and-supply partner rather than a formal coalition member, its dissent was easier to accommodate. The real test came in August 2008 when allegations surrounding political donations to New Zealand First prompted a Serious Fraud Office investigation. Peters offered…