The President is dead, long live the President?

And so, after a rather shorter campaign than last time, we have a new President. As I had indicated earlier, this was a very difficult choice in personal terms, with my knowledge of both candidates of little help in differentiating between them.

Worse than that was not having a consistent sense of what it was I wanted from the incoming President. There were days when I wanted someone capable of giving the leadership a tough time, holding them publicly to account, providing a rallying point for the members if need be. On other days, I wanted someone with the ability to have the quiet word behind closed doors, someone more in tune with the diplomacy of committees.

It's still to early to analyse the Ros Scott Presidency, especially as it isn't finished yet, and the arguments as to the events surrounding post-election negotiations are still ongoing - now in print, no less. And perhaps I might have something useful to add to that debate, but not now, not here.

I will say this though. Two years ago, the debate was about whether the job was even possible given the performances of past holders of the position. I like to think that Ros has settled that argument, regardless of whether people think she did it well or not. Frankly, in the absence of all of the information needed to objectively judge, it can never be easy to measure performance in the role, and there are elements which will always remain under wraps in order to protect the innocent.

It will be a challenging two years for Tim (having seen what two years in the Presidency does, I wouldn't bet on a second term one way or the other...), with a more fractious Party, greater expectations of his performance, a Coalition which may or may not survive and the questions as to his leadership ambitions. And, if it does all end in tears, Tim will be the one who has to turn up at Nick's office with the pearl-handled revolver and glass of single malt.

At that point, it will be more than just a good video and a line in punchy soundbites that will be required, it will be nerves of steel, a strong line of communications with members across the country, and a healthy relationship with the Parliamentary Parties. Having a mandate helps, I know that it helped Ros, and Tim knows that he won a hard-fought contest, which stands him in good stead.

So, whilst Tim prepares for his new responsibilities, and Ros serves out the remainder of her term, I'll be by her side, supporting her to the last. And on New Year's Eve, we'll raise a glass, wish Tim good luck, and give thanks for two years that were anything but dull...