Francesca Rudkin: Enjoy the directionless peace and quiet post-election

It’s ridiculous how long it takes to count all the votes in a general election, only to get it 'mostly right' and how long it takes for several groups of adults to get into a room and haggle out an arrangement as to how to govern, but I’m rather enjoying the country being rudderless at the moment.

Have you noticed how much less noise there is? There is something quite refreshing about not having a formal Government, just a caretaker government cleaning out desks, while the public servants keep paying the bills.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we throw away democracy and go all Lord of the Flies on it, but after the fiery fun of an election campaign that felt like it lasted all year, there is something calming about being in this holding pattern. I'm not wishing this time away, the norm will return soon enough.

It’s a relief not having to listen to the carefully crafted yet meaningless messages and narratives on high rotate.

It’s peaceful without the announcements about announcements, the announcement of reviews and then their recommendations we’re never really sure are adopted, and hearing about endless ministerial muck ups.

In this moment between caretaker and newly formed Government is when you’re reminded just how much politics is about noise, and how little it can be about governing.

While we wait for a new Government to be formed, there is a lot of speculation about this new coalition. Only those behind closed doors know what’s going on. I really don’t care if Winston Peters has ignored David Seymour’s calls or texts - I’m not so good at correspondence myself.

And we know to expect some theatre, oblique comments, and veiled threats. This is not our first MMP coalition talks.

We know it will be sorted when it’s sorted.

What I have noticed about the last 4 weeks since the election, and the announcement of the special votes is actually how little it affects day to day life. The sun still comes up, work must be done, family looked after- life goes on. Yes, for some the detail is hugely important, and I hope those in real need get the relief they need, but for many of us, it’s has been just the confirmation of change that has buoyed us along.

As often happens after all the promises, berating and finger pointing that an election campaign involves - we should all be enjoying this brief directionless period whereby we remembering that at the end of the day we’re responsible for ourselves. The Government can only do so much. Basically it’s time to get up, and get on with it until another election campaign begins.

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