Naomi Lange ‘right’ about Pope

Press, 20 December 1989, Page 6

Naomi Lange ‘right’ about Pope

PA Auckland Mrs Naomi Lange feels vindicated by the admission of Mr David Lange’s former speechwriter, Ms Margaret Pope, that she influenced him in his political decisions when he was Prime Minister.

“It’s what I’ve said all along,” Mrs Lange said yesterday. “I don’t regret what I said because it was the truth. I’ve been proved right.” Mr Lange announced last month that he was separating from his wife, and now lives

with Ms Pope in Wellington. Ms Pope said in interviews this week her influence on the former Prime Minister extended well beyond her strictly professional role.

Mrs Lange said yesterday she believed her own influence on the man who put New Zealand on the international stage appeared to be virtually nil, either in the political arena or even in their personal life.

“Obviously, in politics, I had no influence,” she said. “But that’s the way it should

have been. David was the one who was elected, not me.”

Mrs Lange said she never interfered or tried to influence her husband’s decisions. She kept him informed on what was happening in his electorate, emphasising important issues, but never suggested how he should deal with them.

She believed too many people outside Parliament, who had no right to, were usurping the role of members of Parliament. “I think the role of advisers truly needs to be looked at,” Mrs

Lange said. “I think people have a right to know what goes on in Parliament. They are the ones who pay taxes. Yes, some people are employed but most of them are elected.”

Mrs Lange said that, on reflection, her influence on her husband could not have been as strong as she believed, if he could leave his family so easily. “I’m not saying that in 21 years I didn’t have any influence, but in the last few years that has eroded. Other people have become the influence and he’s let them take over.”