Darien Fenton was propelled into Parliament by her former employer; the Service and Food Workers' Union. That makes her one of Damian O'Connor's "self-serving" faction. The union bloc will ensure that she maintains a high enough list placing to return to Parliament for election after election. She is ranked at #18 on Labour's 2011 list.
She's another of Labour's social media exponents. And she posted this on her Facebook page last night:
Ms Fenton is, of course, referring to Sir Peter Leitch's public endorsement of John Key, her former electorate nemesis last week as his preference for the 2011 election. It's fine that she disapproves of Sir Peter's decision, but she should have left it there. Further down in the comments, when asked "What happened?" she replies:
Darien Fenton Sucking up to John Key big time. I'm never going near him again.11 hours ago ·
But wait; there's more! Another commenter suggests that Labour needs to earn the support of people like Sir Peter, and not just take it for granted. And then she shows her true colours:
Darien Fenton Fair enough XXXX : but he's gone way out on a limb. It's about consumer choice. I choose not to buy stuff from those who support Tories.10 hours ago ·
Oh Darien. This is a really great SMOG. And we'll tell you for why, as our dear departed Dad used to say.
Sir Peter Leitch represents everything that Labour used to represent. He is a close personal friend of Helen Clark, and a number of Labour MP's. He is a self-made man; from a shy, dyslexic apprentice butcher to an outstanding New Zealander, a successful businessman, a philanthropist and the public face of the might-ty Vodafone Warriors.
You'd think that Labour would applaud the likes of Sir Peter as an example of what can be achieved through determination and hard work. But no; he's crossed to the dark side, and is now persona non grata with Labour. We think that's both petty and incredibly sad.
Lighten up Darien. Sir Peter Leitch is a great man, and has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable causes, as well as countless hours of his time, to his own detriment. History will remember him fondly. And never forget this; he has a choice too, and he's exercised it. It's not difficult to see why.
46 comments:
Can't say I am surprised at all by this. I stagger to understand when these Labour MP's will be reeled in with some leadership.
What is sadder is that my first name is the same as her surname :( :(
a) Lay off the list stuff. National has its Wilkinsons and Quinns and you shoot yourself in the foot.
b)Ms Fenton ran a union well (something that you should check before you comment about her background)
c) She's scrubbing up well as Shadow Labour (mind you, the opponent is not much to write home about (cf above)
d) she should have kept quiet about the Mad Butcher.
Boy I bet she has trouble with ir Bob Jones - I know a guy who went to school with him in Naenae or Taita and said Sir Bob was a scrawny state house kid.
RW - what is she the shadow leader of?
Sir Bob Jones
Isn't MMP totally fabulous?
(not!).
Totally frigging undemocratic, more like.
Especially, the 'list stuff'.
@ Robert - I'm only too aware of Ms Fenton's SFWU background, and the significant contribution that the SFWU made to Labour in 2005 without their members' knowledge; and which meant that the members had to make up a shortfall in subsequent years.
Ironically, the details were given to me by a disaffected Labour Party activist prior to the 2008 election, and I have no reason to believe that they are anything but kosher.
Hmm - I know nothing of what you write, but, to be clear, are you suggesting that, were this to be the case, Ms Fenton operated outside union rules, which would be a serious charge, or within the rules(that is, quite properly) , where the rules are determined by the membership? It matters which is the case.
Well, I am shocked.
That someone aspiring to a position of power in our Government should have such hatred and venom for anyone, let alone someone as inspirational (and fair-minded) as Sir Peter Leitch, is politics at its ugliest. Such an ugly side of human nature has no place in...well, anything really.
This is indefensible.
@ Robert Winter; check your e-mail
It's the Labour way when you cross them.
Ditto
It is just typical Labour tribalism....when miffed..smear, smear, smear, threaten, threaten,threaten.
One needs no more reason to not vote for them, than this.
Do labour MP's really think that the 'populace" does not keep up with current events and comments from them?
They are above the law (see hoardings) and up themselves.
@ Robert; to clarify my 8.08am, I am merely suggesting that the SFWU was exceptionally charitable and generous towards Labour in 2005. It is not a personal reflection on Ms Fenton.
I sincerely hope that Labour Electorate MP's don't have Ms Fenton's attitude to their electorate membership. At current ratings, that would mean that 75% of a Labour-held electorate would not be represented by their MP. Oh, silly me. Of course that would explain their low poll results.
INV2 you are remarkably petty and unchristian. You are no better than those you smear and gossip about, yet you are scared to put your name to such personal views. Your beliefs are wrong. You believe mine are wrong. You disagree, I disagree. You use spurious facts and idle tittle tattle to garner an audience. You have no credibility because the underlying belief in a supernatural being is not evidenced based and colours every other belief you have. We just can't take you seriously while you're a made up name who believes in things without evidence. See how stupid your purpose is? And yet you'll continue because you BELIEVE you are right to do so. What a waste of a human's time on earth. The sooner you follow what this God of yours actually teaches, the less likely you'll be shown up as a hypocrite. Why not blog about helping others instead of how much you disagree with others? And FFS have the faith to use your real name so we can have an honest debate... if that's what you want... which it appears not.
WOW IV2 you must be doing something right I see you ahve a new pseudo-religeous troll.
What concerns me about the labour pols at the moment is the fact they don't seem to have the basic net intelect of a teenager. Do they not realise what goes on the net stays there for all to see. It may play well to the base but to people like me it is petty and stupid.
Robert I am not sure how you can condone the SFWU payments to labour. From my experience the "permission" from the members to pay their subs to labour is not asked for overtly or honestly. They have no idea how generous they are being.
"It may play well to the base but to people like me it is petty and stupid."
Charmaine, you've summed up this blog and it's fake blogger better than most.
All the best, Miriam.
Right on cue, out pops "sarah" with what I like to call the parachite smear, covers all bases.
It is it's real name honestly it is.
try parachute, although we could call it parashite I suppose.
Hi Miriam/Sarah...they are real names honestly they are.
Ahh Iv2 but the socialists hate philanthropy as it dilutes their control mechanisms for handing out the dosh.
How Sir Peter made his dosh is irrelevant as he must have stomped on the proletariat on his way to the top.
Fenton is another bitter twisted far left socialist like Mallard who cannot see the truth of former Labour voters making a wee place in society and then seeing how the thieves rob them so they don't listen anymore.
All they will have left will be the hopeless just like them.resse
Sarah is a real name Lofty.
I've met several women who have the name 'Sarah' - it's real alright.
Miriam too, I've met Miriams.
'Inv2' - now there's an odd name. Have you met someone with that name Lofty? 'Lofty' - now there's and odd ...
Yes yes, very clever Bobby, thats why we like you so much, you are a good smarty pants.
I use a nom de plume because I don't want silly emails from crazies.
Yes I am odd, I like myself that way thanks.
Spot on Robert. What is fascinating is how it takes someone looking from the outside in to show this lot how insular they really are. When was the last time anyone read anything insightful that wasn't just an attack based on a one-eyed interpretation of a post on another blog or in the MSM? Exactly. Claims of hypocrisy and blindness met with the same... an unseemly tactic of the christian right.
INV2, you think you're serving God, but we all see who you are really serving. Show some respect to your parents and use your christian name, please.
@Gravedodger
"Ahh Iv2 but the socialists hate philanthropy as it dilutes their control mechanisms for handing out the dosh."
How true.
The left thrive on victims. Therein lies their base.
They have no interest in self-reliant people.
No, that's not true. You've made that up to suit your wrong thinking. I often give my money to good causes. I tithe and I donate to the arts and I give endowments to promising scholars.
Sorry (but not surprised) to have to correct you.
Lefty.
IV2 is Robert/Greenfly/Countess/Sarah/Miriam/Lefty the same person? I ask because they all sound the same.
No you idiot, that's the voice on your computer, it sounds like a robot right?
RG is only ever RG. He has stated that often. You won't believe him but you'll believe a 3000 year old fairy story? Good grief.
Sarah and Miriam... who the hell knows? Could just as easily be INV2 playing with himself.
Me? I'm just me, someone who is a pariah according to the nasty people here because I happen to not be a Conservative Christian Tory.
All the best,
Lefty.
I don't believe that Rob G is behind any of those Charmaine, but the tone of Sarah and Miriam's comments, especially the continued references to my faith is suspiciously similar.
Inv2 - is Charmaine, d4j?
Is Lefty, Lofty?
Is Santa, Satan?
Is jabba, in hiding?
Are you and Clare seeing someone else?
These are indeed, the days of our lives!
Lofty was a lefty, now he is your genuine swinging voter, and loves the place he is at now.
And is Robert imbibing the fermented Worcester berries again?
FFS people!! How about everyone go outside, enjoy the weather, and work up a healthy sweat doing some exercise away from sniping at one another! (Sorry, lecture over, blame it on hormones)
@ Suz; well said; either that, or we could all meet at Robert's Food Forest, and help him with the fermented Worcester berries; we could have a high old time!
Sounds good Inv...still waiting for Robert's invite to the Riverton Medieval Tournament he promised...and for all your differences, I'm quite convinced there exists genuine respect and affection between the two of you! As Jackie mentioned yesterday, y'all bring out the best in one another (like a really dysfunctional family)!
Suz - I've been outside most of the day. Started by loading and unloading a couple of cubic metres of macrocarpa firewood for a voluntary organisation in the town, then it was down to the nursery to graft a few dozen apple trees with Kevin and Rosario. Just taken a break now to nibble on a carrot and a lettuce leaf then it's back into it. I've a meeting to go to tonight so I'm not keen to be sitting around during the day. It's sunny but blustery here. I have to keep an eye on ol' Inv, he gets wound up about things and needs someone footloose and fancy-free like me to lift him out of the doldrums. I only do it 'cause I care.
I for one, know you're just a big boof who only has Inv's best interests at heart...am impressed with your days hard graft..only a carrot and lettuce-leaf to reinvigorate yourself with?
An organic carrot to boot Suz. And I acknowledge Robert's ochardist skills, which I will be utilising with the small orchard on my new piece of whenua.
Nek minnit, Al Brown'll appear on your verandah!
Verification "sanest".
Dang Robert you are too clever and you have rumbled my new persona. And yes I have stopped beating my wife.
Mallard, Fenton etc are performing like the band on the Titanic.
Cadwallader
Sir Peter is 1million times the human being that the entire Labour party added together can sum to. To be denigrating a man whose efforts have resulted in over $1.5m in charitable events/ donations, is just scum behaviour. To do it in the full knowledge the man has a terminal illness shows the level of character that Labour aspire to.
Fenton has little to worry about from me though, for she is unworthy of the saliva/phlegm in my respiratory tract.
@ Charmaine: so you think SFWU members are gullible and are manipulated by their leaders? You seem to have a very low opinion of working people.
Robert,
Not a low opionon of the workers but of the union itself. This is the mistake people like you make when there is criticism of the union.
You know nothing about me other than I comment on a right wing blog. My experience of the union is based on personal experience. See not all us right wingers have high paid jobs I have worked in enough "worker" jobs to see what the union tells, or more importantly does not tell the "worker".
@Charmaine: your reply does nothing to dispel your implication that the union manipulates amd the members are weak and gullible, and are taken in.
And of course I know nothing about you, so can only go on what you write. And what you wrote suggested exactly what I interpreted.
@ Robert - to be fair ro Charmaine, I would suggest that rank-and-file union members have little insight into how unions expend their subscriptions. As recently as five years ago I was a card-carrying member of the EPMU in my previous work-place. I am a reasonably intelligent and inquisitive person, but I would not have had a clue how my weekly contribution to a consolidated fund was redistributed. Unless members took the time and trouble to go to AGMs or read a union's financial statements, they would have little knowledge of where the money was spent.
re you seriously saying to me that you would pay dues and not have an eye to what happened to them? I have been a union member for over 40 years and have always watched what an organisation that I fund does (and said so forcefully if I've disagreed). Membership of any organisation involves rights and responsibilities (a bit like democracy). Unions are member-based; members have it in their own hands to ensure that their wishes are observed.
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