Sticking with Bill is the right move for National

Written By: - Date published: 1:37 pm, February 9th, 2018 - 15 comments
Categories: bill english, leadership, national, Satire - Tags: ,

I think this is the right move.

Bill has a proven record in elections. National knows what to expect with Bill.

With the advantage of incumbency and the authority that comes with it, Bill did very well in the last election. This will not be damaged at all by spending three years in the wilderness – he’ll be able to run with all the advantages of incumbency again next time.

This mood for generational change and the near universal acclaim for Labour’s charismatic young leader is of no electoral relevance. Elections are won on bread and butter issues that affect real New Zealanders, issues like housing and the health system, areas where National has done so well.

The realities of MMP can safely be ignored. From a strong base of 44% Bill English can lift National over 50% on its own. Reaching out to farmers and another round of dirty politics and personal attacks on other party leaders will definitely do it. National can govern alone, unencumbered by compromise and useless minor parties. As is their right. As is their destiny.

Stick with Bill English (because really – who else is there) and the 2020 election is all wrapped up for National.

15 comments on “Sticking with Bill is the right move for National ”

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  1. Ad 1
    9 February 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Drily droll! Like it!

  2. One Anonymous Bloke 2
    9 February 2018 at 2:11 pm

    Offering to resign was a masterstroke. It will put a stop to all those rumours once and for all. Soimn Bruhgiss will just have to wait his turn.

    • Chuck 2.1
      10 February 2018 at 9:32 am

      The tipping point will be when in the debating chamber Bill is handed a couple of snapper by one of his team…just ask one of the Davids how that went!

      As the satire above points out, Bill did secure 44% and unlike Phil, the 2 Davids and Andy did not leave the party in worse shape than before as they were shown the door.

      Will Bill still be the leader? properly for the time being.

      • Incognito 2.1.1
        10 February 2018 at 2:47 pm

        … and Andy did not leave the party in worse shape than before as they were shown the door.

        Oh dear, spreading disinformation, I see. Maybe you want to elaborate on that part of your assertion, explain the zero truthfulness, correct it, or simply retract it with an apology for blatantly making up shit? Should I hold my breath?

        • Chuck 2.1.1.1
          10 February 2018 at 3:18 pm

          Oh dear…what don’t you understand Incognito?

          Under Andy Little, the Labour party was polling in the lead up to the 2017 elections below the 25% they received in the 2014 elections.

          He exited the leadership position with his party in worse shape than when the Unions installed him as leader of the Labour Party.

          • Incognito 2.1.1.1.1
            10 February 2018 at 3:58 pm

            Oh dear, Chuck, what limited imagination you display.

            Andrew Little did not leave the party and was not “shown the door” as you assert.

            Andrew Little stepped down as leader and the rest is history as they say.

            I believe Andrew Little is in fact a Minister in the new Government and has been praised and respected for his actions as party leader in the lead up to the election last year. [yes, we won!]

            I’m giving the Buteyko Breathing Technique a go; I have a feeling it might come handy when reading your next reply 😉

            • Chuck 2.1.1.1.1.1
              10 February 2018 at 5:10 pm

              “I’m giving the Buteyko Breathing Technique a go”

              It might be a good idea to make it a regular exercise Incognito – it helps to maximize blood – oxygen levels along with brain function 🙂

              “Andrew Little did not leave the party and was not “shown the door” as you assert.”

              I never said Andy Little left the party. But you knew that aye.

              I was being kind when I said: “shown the door”. Fell on his sword, writing on the wall, deadman walking etc.

              “I believe Andrew Little is in fact a Minister in the new Government and has been praised and respected for his actions as party leader in the lead up to the election last year.”

              The only bit of the above paragraph that is believable is yes he is a Minister. His only action that helped the Labour party was to be “shown the door” and go through it. Unless in your view tanking the Labour Party vote earned him praise and respect?

              Andy had two options…go without a fuss and stay at the table (job) or fight and see Labour crash and burn and be shunned out of the party.

              “[yes, we won!]”

              Good on you, I am looking forward to seeing all those houses being built.

              • Incognito …
                10 February 2018 at 8:38 pm

                Well, thank you, Chuck, for showing such concern about my health. FYI, I do regularly exercise and am in pretty good condition, physically and mentally. [did you get the pun?]

                I have to be because replying to some of the comments here on TS is like high-altitude climbing, i.e. mentally and physically challenging, tortuous, and exhausting.

                Please let me refresh your short-term memory and highlight the bits that you seem to have forgotten from your own comment @ 2.1 – after all, it has been almost 12 hours since you made that comment:

                As the satire above points out, Bill did secure 44% and unlike Phil, the 2 Davids and Andy did not leave the party in worse shape than before as they were shown the door.

                Indeed, you could read this as Andrew Little did not leave the party as such, and we both agree he hasn’t, but in the context of being grouped with Phil and the 2 Davids, who all did leave the party and Parliament I’m sure we agree, and the ‘showing the door’ part, it sure did sound like you were asserting that Andrew Little had left the party. Nevertheless, I apologise for my misinterpretation of your fine writing.

                Your views on Andrew Little, his decision to step down as leader, and what followed seem strangely at odds with the facts of reality and I won’t spend any precious oxygen on this.

                Fortunately, you and I have something else in common too in that we’re both looking forward to all those houses being built. I have no doubt that we’re thinking of the exact same houses, the same number of houses, for the same target groups, the same prices and all other important details – it goes without saying, don’t you agree?

  3. AB 3
    9 February 2018 at 2:19 pm

    Another counter-intuitive masterpiece from Matthew Hooten?
    And love the photo of Bill wearing his ‘social investment goggles’. He can spot defective people who might be a burden on honest, upright taxpayers from miles away when wearing these.

  4. Jack Ramaka 4
    9 February 2018 at 2:23 pm

    Great decision by National.

  5. mary_a 5
    9 February 2018 at 2:41 pm

    OMG … this is whole piece so brilliantly funny 🙂 What a gem.

    “Bill has a proven record in elections. National knows what to expect with Bill.” Hee hee … absolute genius.

    And FPP mindset Bling still can’t come to terms with losing the election. According to him and his motley mobsters Natz won fair and square, despite not having the numbers to govern. FFS!

  6. Graham O'Brien 6
    9 February 2018 at 9:25 pm

    You can take your tongue out of your cheek now!

  7. patricia bremner 7
    10 February 2018 at 3:03 am

    Yes!! LOL They have 2020 vision ….

  8. Roy Cartland 8
    10 February 2018 at 11:06 am

    Sorry to party-poop, but I’m still waving the flag for Jonathan Coleman. Now there’s a NAT leader we could all appreciate.

  9. Ken 9
    11 February 2018 at 2:08 pm

    Perhaps a new leader might come down in the next baby shower.
    They can leave Bill there – I hope they do – but the longer they wait, the less time they give themselves to become relevant.