Mamma Mia, here we go again: another mother gets involved in the citizenship saga
In this never-ending citizenship saga, there is one big theme. The Australian’s front page story, yesterday:
Federal Labor MP Susan Lamb’s fight to avoid a referral to the High Court has been dealt a blow after her estranged mother yesterday raised doubts about the Queensland backbencher’s efforts to renounce her British citizenship.
Politicans’ mothers just keep popping up. Norman Bates talks about his mum in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, June 16, 1960:
A boy’s best friend is his mother.
Matt Canavan’s mother came very, very close to ruining his political career. The Resources Minister speaking to the press in Canberra, July 25 last year:
In 2006, my mother lodged documents with the Italian consulate in Brisbane to become an Italian citizen. In doing so, it would appear that she made an application for me to become an Italian citizen as well.
And now Lamb ’s mum is in the spotlight too. The Australian, yesterday:
The UK Home Office later rejected the application because Ms Lamb had failed to subsequently provide a copy of her parents’ marriage certificate ... Ms Lamb’s mother, who lives north of Brisbane, said her daughter had not contacted her before or after the election seeking the marriage certificate.
But this citizenship saga is a reminder of how mums are often political players. Sometimes they drive great leaders. Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 13, 2006:
Livia Drusilla (58 BCE-29 CE) was the third wife of emperor Augustus of Rome, mother of emperor Tiberius ... While she remained supportive of her husband, her primary concern was to ensure that one of her sons — Tiberius or Drusus — would be heir to the throne.
Sometimes they bring them down. Smithsonian Magazine’s profile of China’s dowager empress Cixi, July 1, 2008:
Two years into his rule, a bout with smallpox killed the young emperor, who left no heir. Some believed that power-hungry Cixi had poisoned her son to cling to power, but no proof for murder exists.
Political mothers can be very supportive. History Channel online:
Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) was one of the most powerful and influential figures of the Middle Ages ... In 1173, Eleanor’s son “Young” Henry fled to France, apparently to plot against his father and seize the English throne. Eleanor, rumoured to be actively supporting her son’s plans against her estranged husband, was arrested and imprisoned for treason.
In Swaziland, the king’s mum is always joint head of state. Wikipedia:
Ndlovukati (literally, “She-Elephant”) is the Swazi title for the female head of state of Swaziland and is roughly equivalent to a queen mother or senior queen in other countries.
Sometimes, they get a bit annoying. Ancient History Encyclopedia, continued:
Tiberius would tire of his meddling mother, removing her from all public affairs. He may have even exiled himself to Capri to get away from her.
And while some pollies may wish them away ... Canavan, continued:
I had no knowledge that I myself had become an Italian citizen ...
Mothers will always be a big part of politics. Chicago, June 3, 1975:
When you’re good to Mama / Mama’s good to you.