Deborah Coddington: Broken English shows his class

End of Year Report 2005.
School: National Party.
Student: Bill English.
Subject: Education.

Attitude: Bill returned from the Christmas break this year with a markedly improved attitude. At the end of 2004 he was reserved - some would say bruised and brooding - following his being replaced as team leader. However, he quickly accepted that what goes down can come up, and losing playground capers doesn't always have lasting ramifications.

He put in a lot of time over the Christmas break researching flaws in the education system's examinations and qualifications and also sacrificed much of his holiday time and spoke to families whose children were being mucked around by Government education agencies.

Upon his return in the new year, Bill displayed an aggression and focus which saw him develop into a force to be reckoned with.

Marks out of 10: 9.

Attendance: Bill is nearly always punctual and courteous, refusing to allow his large family to complicate his professional life. While for some members of the team this could prove an unnecessary distraction, thus far we have not seen any adverse impact on Bill.

There have been lapses. For instance, when travelling to meetings in the provinces where members from other teams compete for the greatest number of votes, Bill has handicapped himself, and his colleagues, by arriving late.

He needs to adapt to North Island highway conditions, such as protracted road works, and allow enough time for his journeys so as not to put support at risk. While a lame excuse like, "I was stuck in traffic" might be accepted in Dipton where flocks of sheep are common, around Wellington it is just not a flyer.

Marks out of 10: 7.

Accuracy: Bill's sense of timing and accuracy have improved immeasurably and continue to develop. Until recently his main foe was Trevor Mallard - an industrious, likeable and energetic boy but someone who can be a bully, and in his somewhat perverse enjoyment of robust debate, often goes too far with silly remarks. When Trevor was replaced in the education portfolio by Steve Maharey, there was doubt Bill would score any direct hits.

Arguing with Steve is like drying oneself with a velour towel - it just pushes the water around. However, in his first week, Bill used the Socratic method which he does so well and achieved the seemingly impossible - he got Steve to utter a one-word answer - "yes".

Bill had asked Steve if he was aware that he would have been breaking the law if he'd been acting as Broadcasting Minister, as opposed to Education Minister, when he specifically asked a Radio New Zealand journalist not to run an item about NCEA marking. We look forward to more efforts in this vein.

Marks out of 10: 9.

Appearance: More improvement needed. When Bill was team leader, his turn-out improved and the school noted new suits, shirts and ties had been selected. While he seems to have lifted his head and his spirits in the metaphorical sense, he now needs to match this physically.

Without causing offence at home, may we tactfully suggest a new haircut. Bill has a naturally youthful appearance which does not benefit from coiffure in the boy-in-blue-dungarees mode. While a short-back-and-sides is good value for the taxpayer, it belies the fact that Bill is actually quite bright and has a good sense of humour.

Marks out of 10: 6.

General: Bill's popularity is increasing. He seems genuinely ambitious to succeed, especially in the area of education where he specialises. He has done extremely well on this issue, continuing right up until the end of semester by exposing ongoing problems with the NCEA marking system - again.

His ability to speak in plain language means he is clearly understood by the public. Through his own family, Bill is aware of the confusion caused when exams are recalled and re-marked because not enough students are passing, only to hear officials and the teacher and principal unions say everything is fine and dandy.

Bill has made a remarkable recovery from last year's dumping by his team mates. There is every chance he could again try for leadership, though he now has a very good competitor in the ebullient and capable John Key. In any event, Bill would make a formidable Minister of Education, with his determined approach to stop the application of blinkered ideology from both sides of the political divide. A very good year.

Total marks out of 40: 31.

Place in class: 2nd= out of 48.