Kate Wilkinson to stand down and Matthew Doocey may seek nomination

Written By: - Date published: 11:14 am, November 7th, 2013 - 37 comments
Categories: national - Tags: ,

Kate Wilkinson

Another National MP has announced that she will stand down at the next election.

Kate Wilkinson has announced that she will be standing down in 2014.  Her seat of Waimakariri will attract a lot of attention.  With the likely boundary changes it should become a very safe National seat and the nomination will be keenly sought.  The rumour is that Matthew Doocey, the current National candidate for Christchurch East wants to throw his hat in the ring.

From the Press:

Speculation is growing in political circles that National’s Christchurch East candidate, Matthew Doocey, may be in the mix to be the party’s Waimakariri nomination.

Both Doocey and Roger Bridge did not categorically rule that out when contacted. Bridge said he “not even discussed it”.

“That’s a decision for Matt to make. My role really is just to ensure there is an open and fair form of selection . . . it’s up to the local members in the electorate to make the decision. It’s not something  to be controlled from the party in Wellington,” Bridge said.

Doocey said “it’s not on my radar” and he was firmly focused on his Christchurch East campaign.

The timing is extraordinary and you have to wonder why National Head Office did not hold back on this until after the by election.  The comment has been made to me that the people of Christchurch East have been through so much over the last three years, there are still people without good housing and without insurance payouts and they need an MP who is comitted to them like Lianne Dalziel was.  Instead, the National Party candidate appears to be already lining up the next seat he will run in before the bylection is even over.

It is not as if he does not have a chance of winning in Christchurch East.  National won the party vote heavily in the last election and it was only the high regard that Lianne Dalziel was held in that resulted in her re-election.  And a large number of people have left the area, further confusing the analysis of the political leaning of the area.  Anything can happen on November 30.

Christchurch East and the people who have suffered through the earthquakes deserve an MP who will work for the people in the area.  This news suggests that Doocey’s focus may be more on his own career than on helping local people.

Update:  And Katrina Shanks is going too.  It looks like National want to win back Ohariu.  H/t CV.

37 comments on “Kate Wilkinson to stand down and Matthew Doocey may seek nomination ”

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  1. Ad 1
    7 November 2013 at 11:19 am

    What’s your evaluation of Kate’s political career?

    • mickysavage 1.1
      7 November 2013 at 11:21 am

      She will not be missed!

      • Tom Gould 1.1.1
        7 November 2013 at 12:14 pm

        To be missed you first need to be noticed.

      • Jono 1.1.2
        7 November 2013 at 12:19 pm

        When offered water for a ceremonial handwash at a tangi for a staff person from one of her portfolios, “No thanks, they’re not dirty”.

        • phillip ure 1.1.2.1
          8 November 2013 at 7:53 am

          re wilkinson..

          ..i understand the shirt-collar industry is in a state of mourning..

          ..wilkinson has been ‘so good’ for them..

          ..never before have shirt-collars had such a high-profile in our parliament..

          ..and her dedication to the promotion of the local shirt-collar-industry..

          ..and her fashion-flair in that area..

          ..means both have led me to award her the honorific-nickname..

          ..of ‘collars’..

          ..and the local shirt-collar industry is asking themselves..

          ..’will another like her – ever come our way again..?’

          ..phillip ure..

  2. Tat Loo (CV) 2
    7 November 2013 at 11:21 am

    So news is out, Katrina Shanks is also going.

    National planning a big top to bottom renewal. Dead wood, non-performers and liabilities all going. Expect them to come out gunning with new celebrity and ex-All Black sporting type candidates in the next 3-4 months.

    • Ad 2.1
      7 November 2013 at 11:55 am

      We need some rockstars as well.
      God List conference will be a frenzy.

    • Mac1 2.2
      7 November 2013 at 12:18 pm

      I think you’re right, Tat Loo. In the Kaikoura electorate, the local paper is claiming that current MP, Colin (Do-Nothing*) King, has been advised by party sources to stand down. Locals are lining up to replace him, now, it seems.

      The deadwood is being pruned. A 2005 style National makeover is being planned, with a new PM?

      Meanwhile, the National MPs deserting to the List, like Bill English, means that they can exit politics after their anticipated 2014 national election defeat easily without the necessity for by-elections or even suffering an embarrassing electorate defeat. Off to the directorships, leaving their rural electorates, away to live in the cities or overseas with the international 1%.

      * historical reference to the Do-Nothing Kings of the Merovingian dynasty- les Rois Faineants- of whom it was written in the times of the following Carolingian dynasty by Einhard.”Nothing was left for the king to do except sit on the throne with his hair long and his beard uncut, satisfied (to hold) the name of king only and pretending to rule….”

      Einhard went on to describe the later Merovingians owning nothing but an estate, dragged around on oxen carts and led by a herdsman while being told what to do and say by the real power in the land, the Mayor of the Palace.

      Nothing changes but the names……. plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.

    • Rogue Trooper 2.3
      7 November 2013 at 12:22 pm

      she’s hit the pony, seven down…

    • gobsmacked 2.4
      7 November 2013 at 12:49 pm

      Hate to say it, but National are doing a damn good (ruthless) job of cleaning out.

      The people getting dumped – sorry, “looking for new challenges” and “spending more time with family” – are the ones most voters have never heard of, and even political junkies like us can struggle to put a face to the name.

      It’s not just seniority – MPs like Calder and Wilkinson and [insert name here] haven’t been around as long as others, they’re just never going to make it as Ministers and so they’re goners.

      Meanwhile we wait for Labour MPs from the 1980’s to get the message. At this rate, it will be a Labour government with Goff and King versus a refreshed National opposition, in 2017. The time for renewal is NOW.

      • Ad 2.4.1
        7 November 2013 at 1:35 pm

        +1

        Does Cunliffe have his List Top 30 Yet?
        It’s time to sharpen the pencil David.

        The Party just can’t survive on a revival of 1.

        • alwyn 2.4.1.1
          7 November 2013 at 3:08 pm

          I have been told he has got a list of 4 so far.
          The problem he has is that he wants people who support him on the list and that’s about as far as he can get with the current caucus.
          I will not tell you who was the current Labour MP who told me that.

          • gobsmacked 2.4.1.1.1
            7 November 2013 at 4:41 pm

            And I will not tell you the name of the National MP who told me “We’ve all given up on the election already, that’s why we’re leaving in droves, Key’s bored and the rest are hopeless.”

            But of course there was one. Otherwise I couldn’t say so on the internet.

          • millsy 2.4.1.1.2
            9 November 2013 at 6:12 pm

            If the members of his caucus don’t like him, then there is the door

            It will just clear the decks for more enlightened individuals.

        • phillip ure 2.4.1.2
          8 November 2013 at 8:01 am

          re a labour cleanout..this is a comment i made yesterday..

          “..(ed:..sheesh..!..can’t they take a hint..?..

          ..do their egos blind them to the fact that having stared at their faces for decades now..(and seeming like forever..who can forget those b/w photos showing that long-haired fresh-faced young idealist..phil goff..

          ..in 1966..(!)

          ..can’t they take a bloody hint..?

          ..and once again..do their egos again blind them to the fact that a rejuvenated labour…

          ..with the zimmer-frame/neo-lib-drenched crew still hanging around..

          ..is both not a good look..

          ..and could well hurt perceptions of labour..

          ..especially up against a key proudly showing off his new/keen-team..

          ..they know who they are..

          ..and deep in their hearts..

          ..they know it is past time for them to go..

          ..they should all get their zimmer-frames in a row..

          ..and decourously shuffle off the stage..

          ..enough already..!

          ..eh..?..)..”

          phillip ure..

    • northshoreguynz 2.5
      7 November 2013 at 1:49 pm

      Not disagreeing at all, but isn’t there some dead wood that needs pruning in the Labour Caucus. If we are going to win the next election, then would be an opportune time to bring in some fresh faces that can bring new energy into the parliamentary party.

      • Rhinocrates 2.5.1
        7 November 2013 at 2:08 pm

        Mallard, Goff, King, O’Connor, Cosgrove, Curran, Sio… and some younger ones can go too, such as Robertson and Hipkins.

        A vain hope, I know, but one can always dream.

  3. Red Robin 3
    7 November 2013 at 11:57 am

    How do these to statements line up?

    “Doocey said “it’s not on my radar” and he was firmly focused on his Christchurch East campaign.”

    And the speculation from MS- “The timing is extraordinary and you have to wonder why National Head Office did not hold back on this until after the by election. The comment has been made to me that the people of Christchurch East have been through so much over the last three years, there are still people without good housing and without insurance payouts and they need an MP who is comitted to them like Lianne Dalziel was. Instead, the National Party candidate appears to be already lining up the next seat he will run in before the bylection is even over.”

    He said he hasn’t thought about it. Putting words in peoples mouth much?

    • mickysavage 3.1
      7 November 2013 at 12:11 pm

      Why didn’t he just come out and say “No I want to be the MP for Christchurch East” in that case?

      • tamati 3.1.1
        7 November 2013 at 1:54 pm

        I just watched the outstanding All the President’s Men. This is a classic “non-denial denial”.

      • Red Robin 3.1.2
        7 November 2013 at 4:56 pm

        “not even discussed it” and “not on my radar” are pretty clear indications that it is not on his radar. It would be stupid to rule it out all together when it may be an option IF he loses Chch East.

  4. Puckish Rogue 4
    7 November 2013 at 12:48 pm

    Good thing shes going, under her watch the unions increased membership

  5. shorts 5
    7 November 2013 at 1:00 pm

    I take it from this news that things are looking up for future president for life Aaron Gilmore – this is the brighter future he was looking for

  6. captain hook 6
    7 November 2013 at 1:13 pm

    according to RNZ this a.m. about 10 tory MP’s are throwing in the towel.
    Beginning to look like rats deserting the sinking ship!
    Goodbye and good riddance.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      7 November 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Or a fresh new gunnery crew replacing the worn out one. National are going to fight next year hard and Labour will need to be ready.

      • McFlock 6.1.1
        7 November 2013 at 2:43 pm

        yeah that’ll be the line they’ll try to pull – but with any luck there’ll be more than a couple of Aaron Gilmours in the mix 🙂

        I’m wondering if Key will be persuaded to stay as “firm hand on the tiller”, or if he’ll throw in the towel as the final “transition to the fresh national party”. Might be why English isn’t standing for election in dipton but going list-only, rather than (in the event of defeat) seeing through the next term’s rebuild like goff did.

        • alwyn 6.1.1.1
          7 November 2013 at 3:15 pm

          Surely you aren’t comparing English with Goff?
          Deputy Prime Minister? English yes, Goff no.
          Minister of Finance? English yes, Goff no.
          Perhaps you should be comparing English with the truly comparable figure of Michael Cullen
          After three terms as Minister of Finance, and an election loss, Cullen quit.
          I suspect that English would probably do the same after completing his three terms, although I’m not sure what he will do if the Nats win a fourth term.

          • Tat Loo (CV) 6.1.1.1.1
            7 November 2013 at 6:16 pm

            I’m betting on a historic second term loss for National under Key. It’ll be very interesting.

          • McFlock 6.1.1.1.2
            7 November 2013 at 7:42 pm

            Yeah but cullen had a strong pm to be loyal to.
            My theory is that blinglish wants another go, and if key isn’t looking forward to a third term he might stand down a few months from the election, leaving a few front benchers to fight it out with a (deluded) hope of scraping through for term 3.
            That way if they lose it wouldn’t be under key.

            It could just be that blinglish no longer wants to go to southland as electorate mp – especially if he’s so unacclimatised that the limo with heated seats was for him, and not extra comfort for the prime ministerial tush.

            • felix 6.1.1.1.2.1
              7 November 2013 at 9:25 pm

              I think he should have another go, for a few reasons:

              1. Of all the potential Nat leaders, he’s the most experienced. He knows where all the bodies are buried (except his own.)

              2. He claims he’s turned the economy around. If so, there will never be a better time for him to make his run. If he backs himself now he can capitalize.

              3. Because fuck it, why not? What else is he going to do? Grow old in Karori having never given it a real crack? One last roll of the dice, and at worst he’ll go down in a blaze of tory.

              Go on Bill, you know you want to. Better to burn out than fade away.

              • Tat Loo (CV) …
                7 November 2013 at 9:34 pm

                You’ve got a certain evil bent to you somewhere deep inside, haven’t you.

                [lprent: deep? You’re certainly not a geologist. ]

  7. captain hook 7
    7 November 2013 at 1:16 pm

    according to RNZ this a.m. about ten tory mp’s are throwing in the towel.
    like rats deserting the sinking ship.

  8. Tracey 8
    7 November 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Wasnt shanks leading til dunne got his cup of tea?

  9. Redrobin 9
    12 November 2013 at 6:19 pm

    So will MS issue another update given this letter?

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/doocey.jpg

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