The SMOG's continue...

Trevor Mallard must have run a sociasl media training session for Labour's new MP's after last year's election. That is the only explanation for some of the outbursts emanating from the Labour caucus during and after the Third Reading debate of the partial asset sales legislation yesterday.

First up was new Wigram MP Megan Woods; Jim Anderton's annointed successor; what was she thinking when she tweeted this?

Dr Woods lectures in history at the University of Canterbury. All we can say is that we are glad that our Darling Daughter's UC degree is from the Faculty of Commerce! Dr Woods may think that she is asking a provocative question, but to compare the partial sale of a few SOE's with the mass extermination of tens of thousands of Jews is deeply, deeply offensive. Dr Woods should apologise for this intemperate outburst.

Almost as bad was this tweet from Dunedin North MP David Clark:

Dr Clark's allegation was quickly rebutted, as you will see from the reply he received. And we have been advised by several people from outside Parliament that the reason for Peter Dunne's absence from the House yesterday was known to all parties in the House. Interestingly, Dr Clark's profile advises that he is a Presbyterian minister, and marriage, civil union and funeral celebrant. The irony of that cannot be overstated.

And just in case you think that this is just blog chatter, Stuff's lead story at this very moment begins thus:

A Labour MP drew parallels between the National Party and Adolf Hitler as controversial legislation allowing partial asset sales passed by a single vote.

The Opposition benches cried "Shame!" yesterday as National's junior whip Louise Upston cast the decisive proxy vote of UnitedFuture MP Peter Dunne, which saw the legislation pass by 61 votes to 60.

Mr Dunne was not at Parliament for the vote because he was attending the funeral of his son's girlfriend's mother.

In a statement, he said he had intended to speak in favour of the bill at its final reading, which was in the "best long-term interests of the country". 

When Parliament holds its weekly General Debate this afternoon, we suggest that the Labour whips allocate speaking spots to Dr Woods and Dr Clark. Then they can get up and apologise to those who have taken offence at their injudicious use of social media by way of devices provided to them by the taxpayer.

And Labour leader David Shearer should reflect on whether or not this is the kind of "gotcha politics" that he pledged not to indulge in when he took over his role. We suspect that he will not be happy for Labour to be getting this kind of press; here's his chance to put an end to the unpleasantness.