Like nats leaving a sinking ship …

Written By: - Date published: 8:49 am, November 8th, 2013 - 48 comments
Categories: bill english, john key, national, uncategorized - Tags: , , , , , , ,

 

Banksie rat are you thinking what were thinking

So the exodus has started.  So far seven National MPs have announced that they will not stand next year in the general election and the impression that these announcements were made with their arms firmly wedged up their back is strong.

Chris Tremain has said he will not stand again thereby opening up the seat of Napier for Stuart Nash.  Gentlemanly Chris Auchinvold from the West Coast has also announced his retirement.  Phil Heatley has realised that buying booze on the country’s credit card is a career ending move and will relinquish his Whangarei seat.

Paul Hutchison, MP for Port Waikato is standing down.  He is someone that I had a lot of time for.  Perhaps his career highlight is his contribution to the Marriage Equality debate.  He said early on that “I simply cannot construct a strong enough intellectual moral health or even spiritual argument against it; consequently I will be voting for it.”  The National Party could use more free thinkers like Paul.

Cam Calder is also going.  His claim to fame appears to be that he served on the international governing body for pétanque.

Yesterday Kate Wilkinson bailed and Katrina Shanks also announced her retirement.  Perhaps Katrina’s one claim to fame is her speech on the file sharing bill.  For the sale of posterity I thought that her contribution should be recorded in the annals of the Standard.  Watch it and marvel at her grasp of the subject.  Wonder why the powers that be have not chosen to retain her skills.

David Farrar has reported that anything from one to six more MPs may go.  It seems that the retirements of some will not be so voluntary.  Colin King in Kaikoura and John Hayes in Wairarapa are said to be facing the prospect of challenges.  And Craig Foss is also rumoured to be standing down although he has said that he would again contest for the seat of Tukituki.

Bill English’s standing down as MP for Clutha Southland may be related to a rejuvenated Labour organisation in the area but is more likely to be so that he can bail if National do lose in 2014.

And all eyes will be on John Key.  Will he also go list only so that if he loses he can go quietly?  Because I cannot see him hanging around if this National Government becomes the first two term National Government in history.

48 comments on “Like nats leaving a sinking ship … ”

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  1. Horace in the east 1
    8 November 2013 at 9:02 am

    I could understand many of the ‘retirements’ within the National Party as a way of freshening up the Party over time, but Chris Tremain and now Katrina Shanks both going – this has the hallmarks of a Party worried about its future. Given that Charles Chavel has gone, and really Peter Dunne only brings himself into Parliament, Katrina Shanks was probably a shoe-in for his seat.
    Labour needs to be smart and pick quality candidates, flick the social engineering in the bin, and reconnect with the electorate. Jobs, houses, and education – the three old workhorses.

    • Lanthanide 1.1
      8 November 2013 at 10:01 am

      Well it seems with Charles Chauvel leaving and Katrina Shanks leaving, Labour could ‘step-aside’ and let a Green candidate contest against Dunne and whoever National drag in. Greens would likely have a good shot at winning it given their local election turnout.

      • Matthew 1.1.1
        8 November 2013 at 12:15 pm

        No way would a Green candidate have a shot. Looking at previous elections, Ohairu voters are National party supporters. Labour is the party with a shot at winning the electorate.

      • alwyn 1.1.2
        8 November 2013 at 12:57 pm

        I hope that your saying “with Charles Chauvel leaving” is a typo or Champagne Charlie will really get upset.
        “Leaving” indeed. He actually resigned from Parliament on March 11, eight months ago.
        All that time and nobody noticed he was gone. Charles will be mortified.

      • Alan Liefting 1.1.3
        8 November 2013 at 1:34 pm

        Gareth Hughes got 2000 candidate votes in the 2011 election. Unfortunately it was well behind Dunne, Chauvel and Shanks.

        • Banter 1.1.3.1
          8 November 2013 at 1:59 pm

          and the margin of victory was about 1,800 votes between Dunne and Chauvel at the last election. The Greens should be stepping aside completely in Ohariu for the greater good.

          Any ideas when Labour will announce who is running in the seat?

  2. Philgwellington Wellington 2
    8 November 2013 at 9:08 am

    Xox
    Chris Auchinvol, MP Tasman, was a lame duck from the start. He exuded some smarm, silver tongue and hair, but was a non entity for the Tasman District. Oh, he would turn out for school fairs and such like.

    • Chris 2.1
      8 November 2013 at 12:56 pm

      “Oh, he would turn out for school fairs and such like”

      Oh that he did alright, but never had anything of value to add to the occasion.

      “Gentlemanly … nah he is a revolting, sleazy drunk.

  3. ianmac 3
    8 November 2013 at 9:19 am

    Max Bradford was still angry years after he was forced out during Michelle Boag’s purge of the Nats. Be interesting to see how they do it. The Smiling Assasin in his element?

  4. Matthew 4
    8 November 2013 at 9:20 am

    I’ll bet good money that the new uptake of National MPs will be largely women and ethnic minorities (which is great), but will show that despite all of National’s anti-quota rhetoric, they want to covertly what Labour is doing explicitly. They’re going to try to get all the benefits of a quota, but try and avoid the public backlash. It’s a quota by stealth.

    • Tat Loo (CV) 4.1
      8 November 2013 at 12:38 pm

      National is smarter at handling this kind of thing. Getting the job done without ramming grand statements of principles and political correctness down voters throats. More to the point though, NZ voters (male and female) aren’t keen on gender quotas, and National knows that.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 4.2
      8 November 2013 at 2:04 pm

      National like all major parties has ‘regional quotas’ for its list MPs.

      A lot of those Mps on the list are living on the wrong side of the tracks and wont be on a winnable list spot.

  5. CC 5
    8 November 2013 at 9:40 am

    Nah Matthew – more likely being shunted to make way for more smarmey young facists like some of the last intake.

  6. Puckish Rogue 6
    8 November 2013 at 9:41 am

    Yeah National should be more like Labour and its rejuvanation program…but theres only so many UN postings available

    • ghostwhowalksnz 6.1
      8 November 2013 at 11:01 am

      UN posts are won on merit, you actually have to apply amoung many others

      Jackie Blue, a list MP has left allready, for a choice government job.- jobs for the girls

      Wayne Mapp, Law Commision Chair- Jobs for the boys

      • Puckish Rogue 6.1.1
        8 November 2013 at 1:00 pm

        Yes I’m sure Chris Carter won his on merit also:

        » Geoffrey Palmer invited to conduct review of Law Commission, appointed to the International Whaling Commission, made Chair of the Legislation Advisory Committee, appointed as President of the Law Commission in November 2005

        » Lesley Soper (Labour candidate and later MP) appointed to the Southern Hospital and Health Services Board (HHS)

        » Simon Mitchell appointed to the LTSA

        » Louisa Wall appointed to LTSA

        » Shane Jones appointed to the Industry New Zealand board, appointed to the Poutama Trust, appointed to the Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission, appointed him to the RMA Reference Group

        » Jill White appointed to the board of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, later appointed chair of Bioethics Council.

        » Graham Hill appointed to the MetService.

        » Rosslyn Noonan appointed Human Rights Commissioner

        » Warren Lindberg appointed to Human Rights Commission

        » Ella Henry appointed to Human Rights Commission

        » Maryan Street appointed to the board of the Housing New Zealand corporation and also appointed to the board of the Centre for Housing Research in August 2003

        » Alison Timms appointed to the Radio New Zealand Board, appointed to the New Zealand Parole Board, a member of the Casino Control Authority

        » Stan Roger appointed to chair Pay Parity Working Group for Kindergarten Teachers, also appointed to a new panel providing independent advice to the government on injury-related information, also appointed as a Commssioner of the Electricity Commission

        » Kathie Irwin was appointed head of the Teacher’s Council

        » Judy Callingham appointed to the board of NZ on Air and to the Film and Literature Review Board:

        » Ken Douglas appointed to Industry and Trade agency, appointed Chair of Whanganui DHB

        » Ray Potroz appointed to Biology Taskforce and appointed the ACC Board

        » Andrew Little appointed as member of the Transition Tertiary Education Commission and also appointed to the Manufacturing Advisory Group.

        » Gregory Fortuin appointed to Accident Compensation Corporation, Families Commission, NZ Post, Kiwibank, the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, and Transpower

        » Dave Morgan, appointed to the MSA board

        » John Wright appointed to the Transit Board

        » Sandra Lee, is appointed as High Commissioner to Niue.

        » Eamon Daly is appointed to the Bioethics Council, to the Human Rights Review Panel

        » Helen Kelly appointed to Fee Maxima reference group

        » Graham Kelly appointed New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada.

        » Sam Huggard appointed the Lottery youth committee

        » Dame Anne Hercus appointed to TVNZ Board.

        » Philida Bunkle, appointed to the Alcohol Advisory Council

        » Charles Chauvel appointed to the Lotteries Commission

        » Angela Foulkes to the board of the NZQA

        » Alick Shaw to Creative New Zealand and ALAC.

        » Dr Rajen Prasad appointed as Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission

        » Polly Schaverien appointed to the Correspondence School’s board and a director of Meridian Energy and the MetService.

        » Bryan Gould appointed to TVNZ Board and to chair of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology

        » Carol Beaumont appointed to the Food and Beverage Taskforce, appointed to the Government’s Small Business Advisory Group, appointed to the Workplace Health and Safety Council

        » Russell Marshall made chair of the Tertiary Education Commission

        » Ross Wilson appointed to Tertiary Education Commission

        » Sue Piper, appointed to the Local Government Commission, appointed to the board of Te Papa, appointed to the board of Quotable Value, the New Zealand Law Practitioner’s Disciplinary Tribunal.

        » Greg Presland appointed to the NZ Film and Literature Review board and LTSA

        » July 2006 – Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard today announced new appointments to the Board of Te Papa Tongarewa.

        » Bob Harvey is appointed to the NZ Film Commission, Te Papa Board

        » Jenny Agnew appointed to the Government’s Small Business Advisory Group

        » Robyn Northey to the Alcohol Advisory Council.

        » Peter Conway appointed to NZTE Board

        » Garry Moore have both been appointed to the board of Transit New Zealand.

        » Andrew Casidyappointed to the Workplace Health and Safety Council

        » Paul Jarvie appointed to the Workplace Health and Safety Council

        » Ross Wilson appointed ACC Chair

        » Sandra Lee appointed to Te Papa Board

        » David Shand appointed TEC Chair:, chair of a Local Government rates inquiry, chair of the Tertiary Education Capital Investment Fund, board of Meridian Energy

        » David Caygill, appointed Chair of the Electricity Commission

        » Phil Harington appointed to Lottery Grants Board

        » Mike Williams to board of Genesis Energy and Ontrack and ARTA and Transit NZ and GNS.

        » Alick Shaw to NZTA Board

        » Garry Moore to NZTA Board

        » Christine Caughey to NZTA Board

        » Dianne Yates appointed to FSANZ Board, board of Learning Media, Trust Waikato and Waikato Institute of Technology.

        » Helen Kelly appointed as director of the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board.

        » Chris Eichbaum was appointed to the board of the Reserve Bank.

        » Penny Hulse appointed to the EECA board

        » Richard Northey appointed to an Arms Control Advisory Group

        » Andrew Campbell appointed to the Fee Maxima reference group [UPDATE: Andrew was there as President of NZUSA, not a Govt appointee]

        » Richard Pole to Doctors in Training Workforce Roundtable

        » Kevin Hague to Quality Improvement Committee

        I’m sure theres some names in there you might recognize, both parties do jobs for the boys/girls but at least Nationals shedding its dead wood before the next election…hows Labour doing?

        (Thanks to kiwiblog)

        [lprent: A bit short of links.. Perhaps you’d like to put in the link to the kiwiblog post? ]

        [I can categorically say that I was never a member of the board of LTSA – MS]

  7. Watching 7
    8 November 2013 at 10:01 am

    Mickysavage really?

    From Nat party supporters/voters I mainly get a ‘who cares’ view to the list of MP’s standing down. Does it it really matter what Key and the Nats do with their MP’s as none of those have any real voter appeal. I wouldn’t make comment until I see what happens next. – this all seems planned rather than leaving a sinking ship.

    The question should be is that instead of a Goff/King/Mallard time to go discussion Labour should reviewing who from the current list lack ability for a Cabinet or Select Committe chair role – there are a couple.

    • TightyRighty 7.1
      8 November 2013 at 10:43 am

      don’t ask micky if he honestly believes the desperate tripe he writes. If long standing labour mp’s were to retire, that would be individuals leaving for the greater good of rejuvenation of the party, when national does it it’s a sign of desperation at potentially losing the next election. recently it’s like he’s read a “spin-doctoring for dummies” book and thinks he’s the lefts crosby textor. more like the lefts next clare curran – “it and communications guru”

      • Puckish Rogue 7.1.1
        8 November 2013 at 1:03 pm

        Now now as much as mickey savage is one-eyed to compare him to Clare Curran is bit mean…

        • TightyRighty 7.1.1.1
          8 November 2013 at 1:42 pm

          granted, he doesn’t write the TL;DR posts that claire does, but they still arrive at the same incorrect conclusion every single time. national bad, labour good. every time, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

          • Craig Glen Eden 7.1.1.1.1
            8 November 2013 at 2:35 pm

            “all the evidence to the contrary ” Tighty Righty still believes in Nationals Brighter future?

            • TightyRighty 7.1.1.1.1.1
              10 November 2013 at 10:47 am

              it’s looking positively radiant right now. take your blinkers off and see the signs.

      • mickysavage 7.1.2
        8 November 2013 at 1:49 pm

        Obviously we will need to see what happens at the next election TR but you don’t think that the possibility of sitting on the opposition benches is making some MPs reconsider their career prospects.

        • TightyRighty 7.1.2.1
          8 November 2013 at 2:30 pm

          didnt’ matter to labour mp’s as long as they could keep their paychecks right? being in opposition is still better paying than the private sector for them.

  8. pollywog 8
    8 November 2013 at 10:44 am

    I’d imagine a few people lining up to take Simon Lusk’s nutjob grooming classes at Judith Collins request.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 8.1
      8 November 2013 at 1:37 pm

      Not so sure of that:

      For the recent Hawkes Bay Regional Council elections , non of the contenders admitted he was working on their behalf.
      Or maybe they didnt pay up – $5000 if you lose $10,000 if you win.

      I think it was all a snow job, to get a dam that will affect his 10 acre block outside Waipawa, altered.

  9. Bill 9
    8 November 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I give up. That video. Yesterdays post heading for the Judith Collin’s opinion… sigh

  10. aerobubble 10
    8 November 2013 at 4:37 pm

    Key failure to appreciate the GFC, and China’s eventual downturn.

    Coal, Aluminum and Copper prices. Solid Energy, Chorus, Southland Smelter.

    Seems that the closer Key’s government is to industry the more likely the
    industrial myopia is picked up, and built into contracts. Sky City
    casino, will future conferences want their participates engaging in
    gambling? And the housing industry! Key deference to alcohol, building
    and finance industries are now notorious. Key extended the government
    guarantee to finance companies! SCF. Key’s government cannot disengage
    itself from the view that its a board room, with the same views of board
    rooms its doing business with. Key is supposed to work in the interest of taxpayers.
    Novapay.

    Everything Key touches, and his so called victories, the result of ChCh earthquake, or
    other quite predictable things like the deficit coming down.

  11. Philgwellington Wellington 11
    8 November 2013 at 7:09 pm

    Xox
    Can’t figure out how JK arranged the Ch-Ch earthquake. What a brilliant idea to boost economic growth! Tragedy for those in Canterbury. All power to you folks. Kia Kaha

  12. photonz 12
    9 November 2013 at 1:04 am

    If 7 Nats retiring is a called mass exodus of rats leaving a sinking ship (just over 10%), that’s statistically around the same as 1.5 Greens retiring, or 3.5 Labour Party MPs retiring.

  13. photonz 13
    9 November 2013 at 1:13 am

    And even if the turnover was 10% EVERY election, for EVERY party, that would mean an AVERAGE time in parliament of 15 years, with a dozen MPs in there for three decades.

    So trying to make out that 7 MPs out of 60 leaving is some kind of mass exodus, when the average across all parties at each election is much HIGHER than this, is palpable nonsense.

    • Dumrse 13.1
      9 November 2013 at 11:08 am

      With such a down turn in the polls there are very few straws left to grasp so let’s get everybody excited at the possibility that the National Party retiree’s are running scared and jumping ship. Palpable nonsense ? Stupidity more like. Nothing better to write about.

  14. TightyRighty 14
    9 November 2013 at 4:49 pm

    “Cunliffe can only watch and weep as national rejuvenated the party so quietly”

    Hahahahahahhahaha, Mickeysavage. You should have trained as proper journalist before trying to be a proper spin doctor. Fucking amateurs

  15. Delia 15
    9 November 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Did Katrina Shanks seriously collect a salary the last three years? Some Intermediate kids could make a way better fist of the job.

  16. peterlepaysan 16
    9 November 2013 at 11:53 pm

    The Ohariu, and all other electorate results depends on Labour motivating all the non voting voters who never showed at the last two general elections.

    With good policies and very good campaign strategies Ohariu (and a lot of other electorates) are easily winnable by Labour.

    National has nothing to offer to anyone but the wealthy (they are working on kim dotcom who is being strangely shy).

    What is Labour offering to the rest of us?

    Dunne’s success in Ohariu was due to a large extent because of suspicions about Labour and National.

    • Nordy 16.1
      10 November 2013 at 12:30 am

      You clearly seem to know such a lot about Ohariu – what are these policies and strategies you refer to?

      For a touch of reality – the voting patterns in Ohariu in recent elections make it clearly a seat for the centre right to win if they want to.

      In addition, the accommodation in recent elections on the right has prevented the left from taking the seat, by ensuring enough voters did not split the their votes between Dunne and Shanks. It is also arguable that a lack of tactical voting on the left was also a problem – i.e the votes given to the Green candidate.

      Dunne has appealed to a combination of ‘brand loyalty’, ignorance and apathy. Will this succeed again?

      If you want to know what Labour is offering – simply ask, or even better go and find out – it’s not exactly difficult.

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