Commentary
The grind of politics is tough. It requires stamina, commitment, and focus.
It is exhausting in every sense. Physically in the long hours. Intellectually with the reading, preparations, and deliberations. Emotionally with the decisions that need to be made not only in public policy but time from loved ones as well.
Exhaustion is the reason given by popular West Australian Labor Premier Mark McGowan for his bombshell resignation announcement. An announcement that nobody predicted.
Others may speculate as to “real reasons” but in the absence of any clear alternate rationale his explanation deserves to be taken at face value.
Having been elected in 1996 to the seat of Rockingham, he became Labor leader in 2012 and won the premiership six years ago. In anyone’s language that is a long innings, to use the cricket analogy. To be captain of the team for ten years is no mean feat either….