There is a quaint expression here in New Zealand would have worked well to quell the politics of the Labour Party in the UK and the parliament here in Wellington this week. If only people had stopped and “pulled their heads in”.

As far as I can tell, this expression is used to cut down people who are prepared to stick their necks out for an issue. I prefer to see it as a useful way for people to bring their brain back into closer connection with their mouths enabling them to think more clearly first before they speak.

Here in the Beehive all the party whips were called to see the leader of the house to be reprimanded for the appallingly bad (or rather childish) behaviour of MPs in recent days. It was like a playground with children calling each other names – the one that tickled me most was when one politician requested that the “windbag” on the opposition shut up!

Looking at what’s been happening with the UK Labour Party pressing its self destruct button pushing the PM to name his retirement date. Lots of little knowns having their 15 minutes of fame, for what, endless hours of coverage by 24 news.

If only our elected representatives would think before they speak they wouldn’t look quite so much like children throwing toys from their prams. I think if they would have pulled their heads in a little more they wouldn’t have looked so ridiculous and more interesting current affairs would have got more air time in the media which are of greater public interest.