Trine Skei Grande is almost uncomfortably honest

The book “Upright” is the most critical of the main character himself.

Just north of Tørvikbygd, in Hardanger Kvam municipality, there is a tree in the middle of the county road. Mjølkeeika, as they call her, has been here since time immemorial, and since the eighties the road has divided and gone both ways.

There are at least two ways to see Mjølkeeika. You have the big old oak tree that is so majestic that it shares all the traffic along this main road in Hardanger.

Or you can see an old tree that stands in the way of progress and traffic. Yes, which can directly endanger people and cargo. Cut it out and take it out!

In other words: this text is about the Liberal Party. The old party in the midst of politics that some see as a majestic bearer of tradition and others see as just down the road.

The new book to Trine Skei Grande gives a very interesting take on a small party full of big egos. “Upright”, which was written by liberal adviser Karl Arthur Giverholt, is more honest than usual for such books:

• About the idea on becoming leader of the Liberal Party: “I laughed.”
• On the voters: “However, it is a problem that the areas in which we in the Liberal Party have chosen to profile ourselves do not affect the vote of the people.”
• On leadership work: “Party leaders from the Liberal Party are not always seen as a positive contribution in an election campaign.”
• About when she spoke to Henrik Asheim on the phone and Abid Raja heard the mention of herself on the loudspeakers: “That’s when I came out okay.

Judging from the press releases at the forefront of the book, one might believe that this was a book that first and foremost had a punitive showdown with young and old in politics. It is not. There are basically only three people who have a hard time: Abid Raja, Sylvi Listhaug and Trine Skei Grande.

If you are going to read a book written by an open and unusual politician, I would recommend it. The book loses some of its clairvoyance when it comes to the latest events, like Grande’s departure, but you almost had to wait.

Big comes from Namdalen. Growing up, a commitment to volunteering, gender equality, nature conservation, education and culture is awakened. There are values ​​that characterize her as much as on the left today, and they run like red threads through the text.

And speaking of culture: each chapter opens with the title of a song. Here we find hits from Shania Twain, DDE, 4 Non Blondes and Sigrid. It’s just to affirm that Trine Skei Grande’s taste in music is impeccable.

Play list based on “Upright” you may be a match winner on the other side of this pandemic.

It is interesting to follow the political life of Trine Skei Grande. For years, it has been the unifying and committed force of the Liberal Party. It is needed in a match with strong personalities and a high level of conflict.

When two people Men are often pitted against each other, Grande makes for the good compromise (as was Guri Melby in this fall’s camp battle). But after a quarter of an hour something changes, and in the end Grande himself is the most controversial politician in the Liberal Party.

In the same way, the book begins with a woman really passionate about her problems. He does so toward the end of the book, too, but something else takes up a lot of space: bargaining games, handling the press, and personal fights.

In the background navigates, for example, the MDGs up and beyond the Liberal Party as the party for young, green and liberal voters. That trip is not mentioned in the book, because in the meantime all forces agree to fight with the FRP and members of their own party.

We never get an adequate response to how Grande views the solution of turning the government’s partner into the main enemy, apart from the fact that they do not keep their word and are generally impossible to face.

The leftist leader is pragmatic. So pragmatic that both party members and voters have trouble following her as she accepts one compromise after another. Because it is not a voluntary report and a reform of freedom in high school what people want to think from this government.

Ultimately, the question is whether the title holds. Is Trine Skei Grande still standing? I will answer yes. She is very soft human being in said political act. It is good for democracy. Not everyone can be polished.

And she is honest about many of its flaws and shortcomings. More people can learn from it.

The book concludes by encouraging people, especially young women, to get involved in politics. Ancient masters have written something about politicians who have to put up with so much that ordinary people overshadow the path:

“Are we going to like the politicians we have if only those who have the strength to be exposed to so much shit run for office?” This is a question that several of us should ponder.

In the 1980s, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration wanted to remove the entire Mjølkeeika in Hardanger in connection with an extension of the county road. Strong storms have shaken the tree well. And all stasis is a permanent traffic hazard.

But it’s cute with him: The strange old tree is standing there. Vertical.