Kerre Woodham: Hide sheds fat and principles

A revitalised Rodney Hide has bitten the hand that feeds him. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Talk about Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Our own Rodney Hide, the Don Quixote of politics, the perk buster, the hard-working MP for Epsom, has become just another venal hypocrite. Like Mr Hyde, he has shown the free and fleshy nasty side of his alter ego. Is nothing sacred?

The trips overseas with the girlfriend and the snarky comments about the most popular politician in the country have done nothing to endear him to the public and have probably done nothing to endear him to the man who is Key to his political relevance.

This is a classic case of the male menoPorsche being played out in public and paid for by the taxpayer. MenoPorsche is the male form of the menopause, in which erstwhile sensible husbands and fathers trade in the Volvo and the wife of 20 years for the Porsche and the hot young woman.

There comes a time in every man's life when he wonders, "Is this it?" and clearly, that's what's happened to Rodney.

He took a long, hard look in the mirror and wondered whether being the leader of a minor party and the occupier of a tiny mound of dirt commonly known as the Moral High Ground was all life had to offer.

Rodney decided inside was an inner Rodders just dying to get out. Rodders was a man who could trim down to sleek seal proportions and almost complete the harbour swim, a man who could leave a relationship in which he wasn't happy and dare to find love.

Rodders was the sort of person who had the cojones to enter Dancing with the Stars, the clutziness to drop Krystal on her head and the courage to keep on going.

And Rodney has been rewarded for letting out his inner Rodders. He was given a seat at the grown-ups' table and allowed to help govern the country. He found love in the form of a young, attractive and intelligent young woman, and he is fit and healthy.

But instead of being grateful for his second chance, instead of praising the gods that look after the interests of sad, bald, middle-aged men, Rodders has bitten the hand that feeds him.

He has sneered at taxpayers who have had the temerity to suggest perhaps taking trips overseas with your girlfriend is a bit on the nose. Especially in a recession. Especially when John Key has said it's not a good look. And especially when you've based your career on shooting down bastards who have done exactly what you are doing.

Two years ago, Rodney released a memoir, My Year of Living Dangerously. He seems to be doing it this year, too. I don't blame Rodney for wanting to live the best life he can but it's disappointing to see that when he shed his fat, he shed his principles too.

* www.kerrewoodham.com

- HERALD ON SUNDAY