Earlier, I quoted from Margaret Pope’s elegant book At The Turning Point: My political life with David Lange. I heard the author interviewed by Radio NZ National’s erudite Kathyrn Ryan when the book was published 1 where Ms Pope answered (beautifully) a query about the enmity she’d attracted from Michael Bassett:
…There are some things in life you have mixed feelings about. I don’t like to be called ‘the Yoko Ono of the fourth Labour government’ because it’s not used in a flattering context. Still less do I like to be called ‘the Lady McBeth of the ninth floor’ which is another label I’ve found attached to myself. But having said that, you know, if you have enemies like Michael Bassett, you’ve done something right in your life.
{Chuckle.}
Which puts me in mind of this, from someone else who had battle scars:
You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. — Winston Churchill
Kia kaha.
– P
1 Listen to the full audio of that interview at www.radionz.co.nz
(The section quoted is around the 19 minute mark.)
Here are a couple of articles by Margaret Pope responding to the publication of Michael Bassett’s book Working with David in 2008.
Worth reading, for background.
I’m pleased* she published her own 2011 book, At The Turning Point, a beautifully written account which details in a calm but compelling manner her view (as witness and participant) of the tensions which arose between David Lange and Roger Douglas and their supporters and staff.
The truth about David and me –Margaret Pope NZHerald (PDF) or link at nzherald.co.nz
Free speech and the speechwriter – Margaret Pope Fairfax (PDF) or link at stuff.co.nz
– P
*which is to say: I recommend it unreservedly.