National’s bad day in the house

70 comments on “National’s bad day in the house ”

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1. Chris T 1

   2 May 2019 at 7:41 am

   Think you have the wrong end of the stick there

   It related to a question a few seconds before (last one, with Shaw on the census), where Mallard ruled Shaw was answering to long and the Nat's asked Mallard to allow him to continue.

   He did, to much laughter from Labour.

   It wasn't some awesome political statement from Mr Sleepy. It was a joke.

   Edit: Link to question

   Nat’s made a bit of hash of it
   • mickysavage 1.1

     2 May 2019 at 7:58 am

     Not sure I am getting your point. Peters did seek further time for Bridges, he replied by seeking leave and everyone agreed.
     • Chris T 1.1.1

       2 May 2019 at 8:42 am

       Sorry

       Was just putting the context behind it

       The Nat’s had just done the same thing
   • Psycho Milt 1.2

     2 May 2019 at 10:11 am

     That comment from Shaw was pure gold: "The issue here seems to be that the National Party are trying to weaponise their own incompetence."

     The way he repeatedly takes the piss out of Brownlee is good too – makes Brownlee look a complete idiot without getting angry or getting anywhere close to personal abuse. He really is very sharp.
     • roy cartland 1.2.1

       2 May 2019 at 10:58 am

       "weaponise their own incompetence"

       Indeed, pure gold.
     • Jimmy 1.2.2

       2 May 2019 at 11:43 am

       I don't think Shaw came across well at all. He could only disagree with all the "experts" who have said the census is a mess, but did not give any reason as to why.
       • Psycho Milt 1.2.2.1

         2 May 2019 at 11:54 am

         He did explain why, and even elaborated on the explanation in response to a further question from Yiang – a question that prompted Mallard to suggest most members would regret Yiang asking that, presumably because he knew a complicated explanation would follow.

         He was also careful to distinguish the problems as relating to the census "inputs," thus leaving himself plenty of room later on to refer to the previous government's responsibility for approving that problematic process. It was very nicely done.
     • Chris T 1.2.3

       2 May 2019 at 1:41 pm

       He is surprising quick witted for an ex-banking dude who comes across like a boring economics teacher.

       He is actually quicker than Winston, mind you that might be Winston's age now and him trying to keep awake
2. Peter 2

   2 May 2019 at 7:58 am

   You can saySimon took the opportunity and it was pretty awful. We can remember him shouting “slushies” and laughing wildly.

   But I know if his episode were put on TV every night for a week just before Prancing with the Stars or Aussie Spatula, his ratings would shoot up to at least 17%.
3. Wayne 3

   2 May 2019 at 8:00 am

   Micky,

   The whole thing is being reported in the media as a success for Simon Bridges. Coming back strong from a difficult week.

   Now if you want to believe the opposite, well I guess thats your privilege.
   • Cinny 3.1

     2 May 2019 at 8:06 am

     His behaviour would only appeal to true blues.
   • Drowsy M. Kram 3.2

     2 May 2019 at 8:13 am

     As a lefty Green voter, I support Bridges and acknowledge his reported 'success'.

     May his shadow grow as long as Key's…
     • ankerawshark 3.2.1

       2 May 2019 at 11:34 am

       Yes Wayne, very glad of Simon's "successes" at the moment. #lets keep Simon.

       He is so very helpful to the left.
   • marty mars 3.3

     2 May 2019 at 9:27 am

     Yeah lol it's another home run lol
   • One Two 3.4

     2 May 2019 at 9:54 am

     Nz politics along with the NZ media are in a symbiotic relationship which is beyond farcical…

     Use of the word success in any context regarding either of those to establishment entities, is to be party to the farce…
   • Gabby 3.5

     2 May 2019 at 10:03 am

     You know I couldn't tell whether Sniggering Guyno approved or was taking the piss when he backgrounded the fairly long excerpts this morning wayney. It didn't sound very impressive.
   • Stuart Munro. 3.6

     2 May 2019 at 11:32 am

     Yeah well – the media are probably the only group in the country with less credibility than your former colleagues. You should be grateful for their sacrifice – but the public should not be.
   • Jilly Bee 3.7

     2 May 2019 at 1:32 pm

     Wayne – to coin a phrase from that tennis brat/prat John McEnroe, 'You Cannot Be Serious'. Honestly, after watching the clip on Newshub last evening I didn't know whether to laugh, scream or cry. I finally managed to mutter to Mr Jilly Bee 'Wow, Just Wow'. Hang in there Soimun, you're comedy gold (if you don't blow a gasket first).
     • solkta 3.7.1

       2 May 2019 at 1:46 pm

       Blowing a gasket, yes that is all i could think watching his performance, that he was getting close. Very funny it was.
   • bwaghorn 3.8

     2 May 2019 at 3:07 pm

     They where laughing at him on the am show . Even the nat stooge Richardson was joining in on running him down.
4. Cinny 4

   2 May 2019 at 8:02 am

   " Bridges spent his time abusing others. I would question his ability to have effective control of a local board or community board, let alone the country. "

   Well said, totally agree with you Micky.

   simon was like some kind of rabid name calling bully yesterday, such behaviour would not win over any new voters, cringe worthy stuff.
5. Dennis Frank 5

   2 May 2019 at 8:14 am

   Politicians increase their influence when they learn how to make people laugh. Simon did entertain for a change, right? So seems to me he deserves credit for the change of tack.

   The new style makes him seem more like a typical kiwi male. Sure to boost his ratings with that demographic if he keeps it up. Actually, that performance made him look like a serious contender for leadership of NZFirst – wouldn't surprise me if it got Shane Jones worried. Too bad pollsters don't measure the redneck vote.
   • Rapunzel 5.1

     2 May 2019 at 9:13 am

     A "new" style" that appeals to your version of typical kiwi males"? You think? What about the rest of NZ?

     Is that it? Is that good enough that it wasn't his worst attempt?

     It's an insult to NZ that because the National Party can't get their house in order and can't offer up other than a person who refuses to front upon inquiries he ordered, plus a long list of behind the scenes derision of others, as leader that's also "good enough".

     He should never have been allowed to nudge out English. The thing keeping him there is his dogged personal ego and the lack of an obvious replacement.
     • Dennis Frank 5.1.1

       2 May 2019 at 9:30 am

       Hard to disagree with any of that. Clowns can be politically effective. Rulers centuries ago used their fool to entertain the court, and many a courtier got marginalised by the cutting wit that ensued. Not saying that Simon is operating at that rarified level of expertise, just that he's having a go.

       Flat-lining at 5%, the switch in tactics could get him a boost if kiwi jokers start seeing him as a goer, rather than floundering as usual. Like a batsman slashing at every ball, mostly missing, with hits going in all directions. Guys like that kind of simple fun. If his performance improves, could easily lift his poll rating a crucial few per cent – enough to survive awhile.
       • woodart 5.1.1.1

         2 May 2019 at 2:14 pm

         who remembers bill english in the boxing ring, looking for votes. the same year I was at baypark speedway and english got pummeled in a stock car looking for votes. thumbs up for the courage in both attempts, but yeah nah, not a good look for an aspiring leader ……
     • Panda 5.1.2

       5 May 2019 at 10:10 am

       I fear it is all that the National Party have left. Abuse and histrionics. Someone may like to point it out to them that just because it is not directed at their own party still does not make it ok.
6. cleangreen 6

   2 May 2019 at 8:37 am

   Bridges was told to emulate the "Donald Trump style of attack" and he did very actively and the media called it as "Simon Bridges being an attack dog".

   The best ever result was when he looked like a real attack dog" I thought he was on 'P' or meths actually.

   The worst National performance came from the new Hastings MP 'Lawrence Yule' who was attacking Labour in the same vicious manner saying labour has done nothing right, but was roundly put back in his box when the long leaving excellence of Ruth Dyson who ripped into yule saying "it is incredible hearing Lawrence Yule criticising the labour coalition Government when this MP as mayor of Hastings allowed many people to become poisoned by contaminated water"

   Master stoke by Ruth Dyson" thank you very much Ruth for telling the truth about this errant MP.Lawrence Yule.
   • woodart 6.1

     2 May 2019 at 2:20 pm

     yule covered himself in the opposite of clean water while mayor, and still got his arse into parliament. he also ran hastings broke and desperatley tried to con the rest of the bay into forming a super council to pick up hastings tab. amazing that after all that he is one of our elected (?) representatives…the bar is fairly low, it seems. still ,he minds his manners in restarants and doesnt tape his workers…..
     • cleangreen 6.1.1

       3 May 2019 at 8:10 am

       Woodart

       Thanks for telling the truth to power about this man Lawrence Yule as he is clearly just an agent for the global cabal.

       Lawrence Yule has no idea of making our lives better as he will sell us to the highest bidder now that he is a National party Politician.
   • Hotstepper 6.2

     3 May 2019 at 7:23 pm

     Genuine question: why do you think Bridges has been told to "emulate the Donald Trump style of attack"?

     Is that information you have, or is it just speculation?
7. mac1 7

   2 May 2019 at 8:57 am

   I listened to Bridges yesterday while bottling a home brew. While he did not drive me to actually sample my 8.8% barley wine, I thought that he did not handle the extra five minutes well, as the additional time would have taken him away from his notes and into the kind of material where he has to rely on his general political knowledge and savvy.

   I recall some pretty pointless abuse in that period. I think Peter's move was a clever one. it showed plainly that the government does not respect Bridge's ability to score as a debater.

   I have heard Bridges speak in a public meeting. He was not impressive, and again did resort a little to some demeaning personal abuse. He did not connect.

   After that speech, he joined a College jazz student band to play drums in a jazz standard. To my one time jazz bass player's ear, Bridges played on time but not in the style required – more poppy, and heavy on the offbeat. A bit like his speech-making, really…….

   I have now watched Bridge's speech which confirmed my aural recollection. Seeing it though shows how much time he spends talking to his side and how much finger pointing he does actually indulge in when he addresses the government directly. Other mannerisms are revealing. He has a habit of invading his benchmate's space with his awkwardly placed right arm, masking Paula Bennett. There was also a nervous swipe at his collar, an indicator of discomfort and pressure.
   • peterlepaysan 7.1

     3 May 2019 at 9:09 pm

     Astute observation. Watching Bridges has been puzzling.

     His media reported statements appear to be about him, rather than his party.

     The most laughable (pre slushie) was his claim that "his" opposition to the proposed cgt embarassed and made Labour drop it. Of course NZ First had absolutely no influence in a coalition govt.

     Who are his PR spinners? Does he have any?

     He is safe. Who wants his job?
8. Sanctuary 8

   2 May 2019 at 9:42 am

   Behaviour in the house is invisible for Joe and Jane Public. The reporting of Bridge's attacks have to be seen with the context of an ambient right wing MSM who run a dumbed down, personality focussed, horse race narrative where currently Jacinda's star is deemed fully ascendant and there fore requiring some pulling down (Key, on the other hand, got an armchair ride from most MSM political journalists)

   The cynical, rating driven asshats who run our MSM are contemptuous of the average persons ability to absorb nuanced information and petrified that asking anyone to think about anything will cause their ratings to drop.
9. AB 9

   2 May 2019 at 9:45 am

   Getting a bit bored with the mocking of Bridges.

   Sure – his relative hopelessness shows that a party whose raison d'etre is protecting the economic interests of the rich end of town, depends on a carefully manufactured packaging that deflects from their real purpose. Key was that packaging taken to near-perfection. But we've known this forever. Much better for Labour to be thinking about those areas where Collins' rabid 'commonsense' will cause trouble – and eliminating mistakes .
   • greywarshark 9.1

     2 May 2019 at 9:56 am

     Yes commenting so much on Bridges apparent ineptness, is time off from watching and attempting to guide NZ into better policies and government. I put up relevant things discussed on Radionz – no discussion on NZ impacting matters. Lots of gleeful and often childish remarks about Bridges, and this is repetitive. All of it was said before probably a year ago.

     There is the thing that people picked on enough can earn a wave of sympathetic sentiment. By throwing metaphorical eggs at him the commenters here are giving him oxygen and possibly encouraging a protective feeling towards him. Think on that.
10. michelle 10

    2 May 2019 at 9:51 am

    smart move giving him more time to make a fool of himself
11. Kat 11

    2 May 2019 at 10:03 am

    As Michele Boag said on radio earlier this week "Simon Bridges just has to learn to be a leader". Well that's all well and good, is she prepared to front up with some formal instructions because Mr bridges is getting very very very painful to watch .
    • Peter 11.1

      2 May 2019 at 1:47 pm

      I wrote on here yesterday: "He's 42 years old, he's been in politics for more than 20 years and he's got to learn to be a leader?"

      Someone who is 42 years, who's been in the places Bridges has been in, and done the things he's done, who has to 'learn to be a leader,' is never going to be a leader of any worth.

      One thing mitigating against him even learning is the environment he is in. Someone leaking after their caucus this week shows that given the best will and intentions in the world, someone(s) there has decided he is not a leader, is not wanted as a leader or is not capable of being a leader.
    • greywarshark 11.2

      2 May 2019 at 3:58 pm

      Lessons from Michelle B would leave him all of a dither. She would probably punctuate each point with a whip.
    • Shadrach 11.3

      2 May 2019 at 4:30 pm

      1. In my experience, leadership cannot be 'learned'. Leadership is an inate part of us, or not – we either have or we don't.
      2. If I was in the position of advising Simon Bridges, the last person on the planet I would be listening to would be Michele Boag.
      • rod 11.3.1

        2 May 2019 at 5:00 pm

        @ 2 Why ?
        • Shadrach 11.3.1.1

          2 May 2019 at 5:45 pm

          Because she is toxic. Because she was so closely associated with Bill English's first term as leader of the Nats. And because I don't have much time for people who have little experience outside of politics and 'PR'.
          • cleangreen 11.3.1.1.1

            3 May 2019 at 8:17 am

            Shadrack; Michelle Boag was also closely associated to "Mr fix it" Steven Joyce too.
            • Shadrach 11.3.1.1.1.1

              3 May 2019 at 11:42 am

              I wasn't critiquing Bill English, I was commenting on his disastrous election campaign. Joyce was an is a very good operator. Why he would want anything to do with Boag is beyond me.
              • peterlepaysan …

                3 May 2019 at 9:23 pm

                C'mon, Shadrach, Michelle knows everything, and knows all the answers.

                Be fair. (smirk).
12. Clive Macann 12

    2 May 2019 at 10:05 am

    My experience over the last 66 years is when someone is cornered and down to their lowest mentally, they ATTACK with gusto and make the most utter mess of their self-worth.

    I saw that in Simon yesterday.
    • Gabby 12.1

      2 May 2019 at 10:11 am

      Pullya looks delighted.
      • AB 12.1.1

        2 May 2019 at 10:55 am

        De-lighted too, because they went out long ago.
    • cleangreen 12.2

      3 May 2019 at 8:19 am

      100% Clive well said.
13. Darien Fenton 13

    2 May 2019 at 10:34 am

    Pointy, shouty couldnt get past this.
14. roy cartland 14

    2 May 2019 at 10:59 am

    Anyone remember the "get some guts" speech? This was worse.
15. Fireblade 15

    2 May 2019 at 11:34 am

    The more the public get to know Simon, the less popular he becomes.

    Simon's try-hard ramblings were an attempt to demonstrate that he's got bigger balls than Judith.
16. mac1 16

    2 May 2019 at 11:43 am

    One thing that Bridges did was to laugh at Winston Peters quoting National's own polling which put Peters at 1% in the preferred PM stakes.

    Not speaking from notes, he pointed the finger and jeered.

    Of course, silly man, he's firstly referring to the deputy PM in a government led by a very popular woman. It is good that the actual PM should be well preferred above the deputy PM.

    Secondly, Bridge's own 5% support from an electorate that still polls at 40% for the party he leads is not that much higher than Peters, and proportionately lower.
    • Enough is Enough 16.1

      2 May 2019 at 12:12 pm

      Winston is a moron. He looks at the popularity of the government (AKA Jacinda) and firmly believes he and his basket case of a political party is part of that popularity.

      Nothing could be further from the truth. The numbers he quotes shows how terribly he is. We can only hope that the current numbers hold up until the . Then he will be gone forever.
      • McFlock 16.1.1

        2 May 2019 at 1:01 pm

        Many of his political opponents have thought that, and are now just footnotes in parliamentary history.
      • woodart 16.1.2

        2 May 2019 at 2:34 pm

        winston may be many things , but not a moron .very sharp survivor .
        • mac1 16.1.2.1

          2 May 2019 at 4:24 pm

          He has done more than survive. He has been a cabinet minister, a king-maker, a party leader and is now deputy PM. Tahat's more than survival. He is part of the government's popularity. Not a major part, but part. Some of us are grateful that he carried over into the post election coalition discussions what he had been saying before the election excoriating that corporation-favouring and corrupt former government.
          • Incognito 16.1.2.1.1

            2 May 2019 at 10:25 pm

            He has been acting PM too.
      • cleangreen 16.1.3

        3 May 2019 at 8:26 am

        Enough is Enough.

        No Winston is definitely not a moron. Labour has still got the 'right wing fringe embedded in them with several high flying in their cabinet so Jacinda needs to clean their house out this year.
17. gsays 17

    2 May 2019 at 1:13 pm

    That explains Mrs Collins highlighting Bridges performance in the house when she was interviewed on RNZ this morning.
    • Wensleydale 17.1

      2 May 2019 at 1:28 pm

      That's Collins for you. Caress with one hand, punch with the other. She's as cunning as a really cunning thing.
      • lprent 17.1.1

        2 May 2019 at 1:47 pm

        Please stay off the Baldrick. We all know how bad it is….

        
18. Exkiwiforces 18

    2 May 2019 at 2:59 pm

    Hey that lady in pink next to what’s his name, is that Don Kings Grand daughter?
19. observer 19

    2 May 2019 at 5:17 pm

    It doesn't much matter what political partisans think (on either side). Or what commentators spout. It's the voting millions that count.

    I watched the 6 pm news with relatives who are basically non-political, and certainly not "lefties". They just shook their heads and said "What on earth is wrong with him?".

    I bet the vast majority of viewers felt the same.
20. Jenny - How to get there? 20

    2 May 2019 at 5:32 pm

    It's striking how similar these two maniacal images are.

    

    

    https://int.search.myway.com/search/AJimage.jhtml?&n=784865ef&p2=%5EBXZ%5Exdm012%5ETTAB02%5Enz&pg=AJimage&pn=1&ptb=588D7DF5-9CD5-495D-8989-307886F67516&qs=&searchfor=heath+ledger+as+the+joker+images&si=google_engremarketing&ss=sub&st=tab&tpr=hpsb&trs=wtt&imgs=1p&filter=on&imgDetail=true

    Yes one is holding up a coffee cup and the other is holding up a playing card.

    But the biggest difference is that one them is only acting.
    • Jimmy 20.1

      3 May 2019 at 12:30 pm

      Very good! This has made my morning.
      One is an evil scheming person who cannot be trusted, and the other is the Joker!
21. NZJester 21

    2 May 2019 at 7:03 pm

    When the opposition agrees to let your leader speak longer you should never accept. Ever the fool he put his foot in his mouth and asked for more time to show just how incompetent he is while in his own mind he was doing great.
    • Incognito 21.1

      2 May 2019 at 10:31 pm

      The Green Party has today announced that, from this week, most of its allocation of questions for Question Time will be handed over to the Leader of the Opposition to use, in order to limit the prevalence of “patsy questions” in Parliament and to strengthen the ability of Parliament to hold the Government of the day to account.

      https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/green-party-announces-significant-change-question-time

      That was just over a year ago. How prescient of the Greens.
22. Rae 22

    3 May 2019 at 7:30 am

    Ever wondered what "enough rope" looks like.

    As for Collins, if NZ accepts her as a possible PM then it says as much about us as it does her, and none of it is good. She is tainted and self serving, I won't go over her history, I'm no-one here needs reminding of it, but not everyone is aware of a response she made when questioned about Oravida's involvement with the destruction of wetlands and the whole swamp kauri, snub your nose at the rules, exporting. Her reply was that she didn't care, they were swamps, and she didn't like swamps. She appeared on TV1s Breakfast a week or so ago claiming the Nats were maybe more green than the Greens.

    Vile woman.
23. michelle 23

    3 May 2019 at 9:25 am

    she is vile and toxic alright and she obviously doesnt care about our natural environments cause her and her greedy husband are pillaging our swamp kauri and they are selling our water of to the chinese when are dumb Nzders gonna wake up to people like her

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