Latest poll out: Labour v National

[Wainuiguy]

Another bug bear for me is this Real World thing. You don't think politicians have mortgages? Supermarket trips? Difficult marriages? Rebellious offspring? Scary health outcomes?  Ambitions and disappointments in their careers? Nasty neighbours? Bank accounts that get dicey every now and then?

Or is being an MP a kind of magic shield against all of the normal things those of us in the Real World have to put up with?

Sometimes people have early career choices in areas they stick to for the rest of their lives. Teachers. Health care workers. Surgeons. Truck drivers. Usually it means they get to be very good at what they do because of years of practice. Is being a career politician any different? Given keeping their job is up to the electorate, I would suspect doing that might be even harder for them than your average Real World truckie...

At least they do not have to beg to keep their job on a regular cycle.

When the real world term is used it is to do with working outside politics.  Especially where you are working, like Ardern did, in a position that wasnt elected.  This also means outside academia.

Even within politics Ardern was entirely average.  Unable to secure a seat in a electorate she was bought on as a list MP.  While an MP produced no legislation of note (I could be wrong but believe she had not had any bills written and passed from her prior to being PM?).

Those who can,do.  Those who can't, teach.  Those that can't teach become a Minister (certainly true in Trevor Mallards case - but can add to his Those that are no good as Minister become speaker).