OPINION: You know Labour is worried when Minister of Employment Willie Jackson is furiously working the weekend, attacking new National leader Judith Collins.
He said Collins would be as culturally shocking to us as Trump's victory in America.
Really? Folks - that is Jackson at his most desperate.
Collins has them worried, and I doubt Collins would be offended by it. It confirms the threat she poses.
As you will know, Judith and Willie formed our Friday political panel, so they know each other well - but that was disbanded after Collins took National's leadership.
So Willie spent his weekend slapping together a breathless Facebook rant, ruthlessly attacking Judith as being divisive, all seemingly based on her recent comment: "Is there something wrong with me being white?"
Judith is proud of her heritage and at the time of her comment, she felt that was under attack. So she made a comment many people might make.
But for Willie to call Judith divisive, is a stretch.
It's certainly no worse or any more divisive than his criticism of Paula Bennett a year ago, when he questioned her contribution to kaupapa Maori issues.
It's a bit rich of Jackson to accuse Collins of divisive politics, when his comments about Bennett were also totally divisive. It was also cultural and intellectual snobbery and elitism.
I detest the belittling that goes on here. Is it because she doesn't speak Māori, so she is somehow a lower form of Māori than Jackson?
I think Willie is desperate. He fails to see that Judith has already promoted National MP Shane Reti from number 17 to number five on the front bench and Simon Bridges to four.
Both are Māori.
Willie ignores facts in favour of emotion.
Collins is making an impact - bring on the first set of polls. Has she closed the gap?
I suggest she has, given how defensive Willie Jackson has become.
Duncan Garner is the host of The AM Show.
