Simon Power is retiring from Parliament at the election. Like everyone else, I'm stunned. While I thought Power was overrated as a future Prime Minister - all he seemed to have was a square jaw - he has been a competent Minister (unlike some), and a bright career ahead of him. Instead, he's walking away, which isn't what politicians usually do.
People are naturally enough looking for the "real" reason behind this. But I think we can take it at face value. Power's push to eliminate jury trials and undermine the right to silence suggests he has no serious ideological dispute with Judith Collins and the "hang 'em high" brigade. Instead, he's done what he wanted to achieve in his portfolios (or expects to, by the end of this term, which should fill us all with fear), and can't see much else he wants to do if re-elected. Not many politicians achieve that; most political careers end in failure and thwarted ambition, and not just because of de-election. Power is lucky to be able to end his career on success, and sensible to get out before it turns into something worse, or ruins him as a person.
