So Simon Bridges had the chance to show leadership yesterday, cement his leadership of the National caucus, reward on talent and hard work and seek to unite a caucus that clearly has a few problems.
How did he do?
He bombed it.
For instance how did he treat arch rival Judith Collins? Not only did he refuse to consider her for finance, which she has shown some commitment to, and let Paul Goldsmith leapfrog her into the number 3 position but he also took away from her responsibility for infrastructure and gave this to Goldsmith.
Sure Goldsmith has performed adequately against Shane Jones but this is against Shane Jones. Goldsmith is a personality free zone that National relies on to lose the blue ribbon seat of Epsom. The rationale is that he is that unlikeable committed tories will hold their nose and vote for David Seymour.
Surely Collins could have been appointed shadow Attorney General, the other portfolio that Adams relinquishes.
And what about Todd Muller who has been talked about as a potential leader and who has the most difficult job of bringing National to a sensible position on climate change? He remains at number 31 although he picks up forestry from Alastair Scott.
The resignations are bombshells and the reshuffle will make things worse for National.
Mike Hosking (yes you read this right) sums up the situation well:
Opposition must be miserable. But the trouble with Adams and Scott both bailing is the message it sends.
Every time Bridges says, “We are in this”, you’ve got retirements that say, “No, we are not”.
What we know generally is that good organisations recruit well. People like to be on a winning side. Positivity breeds positivity. In other words, the queue to get in should be longer than the stampede heading out.
Most of those who have already left National – or already announced they intend to leave – did so immediately after the election. To leave it until now you either have health issues, you’re 71 and over it, or (if you’re Adams at 48 and Scott at 53) you’ve worked out the pastures are greener on the other side of the fence.
This all adds to National’s ongoing problems. Their leader, their numbers, and now their retention of talent. They simply don’t look like they’re on a roll or anywhere close to it. They don’t look like the home of the winners.
The push for Chris Luxon from a Christchurch based source looks like it may not have been so random. I wonder if he is contemplating setting up residence in Selwyn.
I can’t wait for the next poll …
Powered by WPtouch Mobile Suite for WordPress