Starts at 7:10
Replay of Mike’s Interview with Simon Bridges Yesterday:
“Mike:
Is 24 hours a long time in politics? I think so. So just for the record, in the next month you’d be in shock if there were rumblings and a spill attempt?
Simon:
I don’t see any of those things. I am leader, and that’s the way it’s going to stay.”
Mike:
Simon Bridges is back with us, a very good morning to you.
Simon:
Good morning. 24 hours is a long time in politics.
Mike:
You want to change your answer?
Simon:
(Laughs) Well, look. The biggest issues we face in NZ right now are our economic future and I’ve talked to you about the thousand jobs a day, I’ve talked to you about the mortgages aah in terms of 80 grand of debt that every household is taking on.
But at the moment there is a focus on leadership of the National party and a couple of my colleagues want to challenge myself and Paula Benefit… Bennett for the leadership and deputy leadership of the National party. We need to resolve that quickly so we can get back to focusing on the things that mattered… that matter. Those things I was talking to you about… Kiwis, their livelihoods and aspirations.
Mike:
Did those people come to you yesterday after your interview or did you mislead us on this show yesterday?
Simon:
(Grumpy tone) I’m not going to characterise all those things. I’ve already said to you 24 hours is a long time in politics. I mean I think it’s now for them to announce their leadership intentions. I… I… I want to allow them the dignity to do that as they choose.
Mike:
So, you’re telling me you misled me on the show yesterday? You knew this was all coming?
Simon:
No. No I’m not. I’m not saying that at all.
Mike:
So, this game was a surprise to you yesterday?
Simon:
I’m saying to you: look, quite clearly umm… I believe, and I’m very confident in my leadership of the National party, what I’m telling you is that umm… whilst I believe I will win I want to put that to the test so we can resolve it quickly and get back to the issues that matter to NZers and you know, we’ve talked about those.
They are our economic future.
Mike:
Okay, so for the record, will you win the vote Tuesday?
Simon:
Yes, I believe so. I’m very confident. I’m putting it to the test so we can quickly resolve it and so we can move on. We can get back to those things that matters and, you know, we talked about those in a little bit of length yesterday.
Mike:
Is it Todd Muller?
Simon:
I’m not going to go through and do a… you know, “it’s this person or that person” …
Mike:
No, I’ve got a… just got the one name: is it Todd?
Simon:
I’m not going to rule in or out.
Mike:
Is it Kaye and Collins with him?
Simon:
I’m not going to rule in and out. Look, the vast majority, Mike, of my colleagues are resolutely focused on those things that matter. On… on the jobs, on the growth… we’ll plan for those and getting NZ working again. And as I say, there’s two people that I understand want to challenge for the leadership and the deputy leadership. Umm… it’s a massive distraction but let’s resolve it quickly so actually we can take it to the election because I think the NZ… aah NZers need the National party right now to be standing up on these things that matter right now.
Mike:
I tend to agree with you. If it’s Todd Muller… is he really the answer? Most people wouldn’t even know who he is.
Simon:
I’m not going to characterise these things. Commentators can commentate, I want to get through this, resolve the distraction so we can get on and win an election.
Mike:
Is he a likeable guy? I mean, I only sat next to him once at the Obama event, but he’s from the Bay of Plenty, you must hang out with him?
Simon:
(Laughs) I… I’m not going to go through and say it’s this person or that person…
Mike:
No, I’m just asking about Todd
Simon:
I won’t do that.
Mike:
Is he a good guy?
Simon:
Hey look, I’ve got a whole lot of great caucus colleagues. I… I… I think, you know, whether it’s Todd Muller, whether it’s Judith Collins, whether it’s Mark Mitchell or Paula Bennett, we are blessed to have the best team in NZ politics that’s got a track record of delivering for the country.
Mike:
If you get beaten on Tuesday will you go quietly?
Simon:
(Sucks in breath) Well, that’s not my intention. I’ve already said to you I’m very confident a… a… I will win. Umm… I don’t have a Plan B in mind because I believe I will win. I… I think I will win with an overwhelming majority but I want to put it to the test, I want to resolve it so we can move on and get back to what matters – and that’s NZers.
Mike:
Here’s the problem, though. Even if you do win, the fact that you got attacked is uncool for the party, it’s destabilising, it’s too much…. I mean, what’s the matter with your party that they can’t see any of this? This isn’t your fault. Is it?
Simon:
I… I… look, I hear the good things you are saying… I think the reality is actually we can move on quite quickly and I think the vast majority of members of parliament in the National team get it. They understand what’s at play here. They’ve seen, it you know?
We’ve had COVID-19, we’ve responded to the health issues there, but you know what? We’ve got this tsunami of debt and economic issues coming out and we are the team to lead NZ through those things.
So, you know, I think, actually, umm Thursday latest we will resolve this and we will be able to get back to the things that matter in politics…
Mike:
Right.
Simon:
…which is ideas, policies, plans and the team that can do that.
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