OPINION: The Hipkins era was defined from the outset as a back-to-basics administration that would focus on the cost of living rather than enacting Labour's wishlist of controversial policies.
This clean-slate approach started out well and appeared to be a smart way to transition and differentiate from Ardern's regime.
But like any item of white clothing, Hipkins' clean slate soon attracted stains. One stain is annoying, two is frustrating - but any more than three leaves people questioning your life choices.
There are now six stains: Nash. Whaitiri. Tinetti. Wood. Allan. Leary.
Any more and Hipkins risks vagrancy over vibrancy. You cannot have a Prime Minister walking around with stains all over his shirt.
It must be frustrating for Hipkins too; none of this was of his making. Most of it happened or was brewing under Ardern's tenure - yet he's the one tarnished by it and charged with cleaning it up.
His latest approach is baffling though. Instead of choosing to swiftly spray some Vanish Oxi Action on the Kiri Allan debacle, he's happy to wear that political stain to Europe on his next overseas trip.
Where's the political expediency in that? It leaves the door ajar for it to blow up while he's on the world stage signing a free-trade deal with Europe and meeting NATO leaders.
I understand why he wants to give Allan some space to deal with her personal circumstances - but his reluctance to investigate the allegations of her ministerial behaviour makes it look like it's in the too-hard basket.
It could be a coincidence that these scandals have surfaced under Hipkins - or it could be a sign that Labour has lost all discipline under his leadership.
Are his MPs going rogue? Are they just arrogant? Or are they politically incompetent? Whatever the answer, something needs to change.
The repeated splashes of condiments from Labour's bread and butter are a gift to the Opposition. They are another thing for National to pounce upon ahead of the election. Yet they keep happening.
It's time for Labour to find some discipline, or pay the price of losing the election.
Lloyd Burr is a Newshub Political Reporter.
