Crusher Collins, the leader who has taken great delight in giving back double, has been too afraid to be interviewed by Radio New Zealand this morning.
She has a regular Wednesday morning slot but refused to turn up today after she was advised about some rather public resignations by three senior staff.
From Henry Cooke at Stuff:
Three senior staff have departed the National Party’s Parliamentary office in recent weeks as the party’s poll ratings have plummeted.
Digital director Francis Till, press secretary Julia Stewart, and head of data and insights Sophie Lloyd have all departed. All have years of experience in Parliament.
A comment on Till’s Instagram suggests he was dismissed rather than leaving the role voluntarily however.
Current press secretary Ani O’Brien will take on the digital director role.
A spokesman for party leader Judith Collins declined to comment on the departures, other than to say staffers leaving for opportunities elsewhere was not unexpected.
Till declined to comment, but wrote on his Instagram that he had been dismissed, writing that he had drank from a “poisoned chalice” despite being warned not to.
He has years of experience working for former leader John Key but only re-joined National’s Parliamentary wing in July of 2021.
In the meantime Collins has said she will not resign even if National’s polling dips below 20%, which it is in danger of doing. This is a significant change from someone who had previously set 35% as her bottom line.
Collins has two weeks to bring things around. Otherwise the next face to face meeting of the entire National Caucus could be her last as leader.
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