1News have revealed a new polling stance: publishing approval ratings for the PM and Simon Bridges.
The BFD has been saying for a long time that this sort of polling will reveal the dire position National finds themselves in under Bridges’ leadership. National’s caucus is almost never shown these ratings from their internal polling because the numbers are so dreadful for Bridges.
For the first time, the latest 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton Poll is asking if voters approve or disapprove of the way Jacinda Ardern and Simon Bridges handle their jobs.
The approval rating is calculated by taking away the disapproval percentage from the approval percentage – with Ms Ardern’s approval rating at +33.
When asked if they approved or disapproved of the way Ms Ardern is handling her job as Prime Minister, 62% approved, 29% disapproved and 8% did not know or refused.
Of those asked of Mr Bridges’ handling his job as National Party leader, 29% approved, 51% disapproved and 20% did not know or refused – with Mr Bridges’ approval rating sitting at -22.
That is simply an appalling state of affairs and it shows up what we have known for ages from internal leaks of National’s polling data. Simon Bridges is simply not trusted.
Caucus needs to take a good hard look at themselves as this confirms what we said yesterday; that National’s high polling is that way because a) the punters think National will change their leader and, b) National’s vote is high despite their unpopular leader.
The question is asked frequently around the world – US President Donald Trump currently sits on -16, UK PM Boris Johnson is at -18 and Canada PM Justin Trudeau is at -26.
tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/ardern-and-bridges-approval-ratings-revealed-in-1-news-colmar-brunton-poll
Until caucus gets their head around the fact that Bridges is plumbing the depths of Jeremy Corbyn or Donald Trump, then they will enjoy a long, cold stint in opposition.
This is going to get interesting as caucus can now insist that Todd McClay coughs up their internal polling. The pressure on Simon Bridges will now be unbearable.