A timely exit

The decision by Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott to step aside shows excellent judgement. The situation is different in Hastings where the Mayor  like his predecessor Jeremy Dwyer  is seeking a 5th  term.

Too often political leaders seem to think they are indispensable. They arrive with fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and without baggage, and are welcomed by electors. In time their support starts to slip with failures and a history  of things that have annoyed voters. 

Eventually if they do not accept their time is over and stand aside, the voters will make the decision for them. We saw it with Winston Churchill, Rob Muldoon, Helen Clarke, Kerry Prendergast, and our own Rick Barker. All failed to see they were trying to win one election too many. 

Whilst there is no hard and fast rule on how long a politicians should stay in power it seems anything over eight or nine years is generally too much especially if they are in a leadership position.

Existing office holders have a clear advantage over those seeking office for the first time. Name recognition is very much stronger, and its possible to campaign continuously whilst simply doing the job.  However there comes a time when hanging onto the power, prestige, and even the income predominates everything else.

All this raises the question of whether there should be legal limits on how long Prime Ministers, Mayors and even run of the mill MP's and councillors should be allowed to remain in office.  In the United States after Franklin D Roosevelt died early into his  4th term Congress decided to amend the constitution and limit presidents to a maximum of two terms or eight years.

For a leader such as a Mayor or Prime Minister 3 terms of 3 years seems about the maximum but of course the rule is not absolute. Generally to stay longer than desirable is to be remembered for failures and disasters.

Most political leaders want to be remembered for their successes and timing is critical to achieve that.  Mrs Arnott seems to have picked the right moment to exit and her legacy includes the development of McLean Park for the Rugby World Cup,  and the Museum extensions.