Thankfully most National Party MPs appear to be aware, from comments made, that the thrashing they received last Saturday was a wake-up call. This is a first step in the right direction. The next step is to realise that caucus and party unity are paramount. The behaviour of a number of MPs, whoever they were, apart from Denise Lee who hopefully has done a big mea culpa, was childish at best and despicable at worst. How did these people, in their wildest dreams, think their actions would in any way help the cause? It beggars belief that so-called adults could behave in such a foolish manner.
Which brings me to Steven Joyce and, from a strategy point of view, couldn’t Judith do with him right now? Speaking to Mike Hosking he fired a broadside at trouble-making politicians telling them to “stop talking out of school”. Some, it would appear, need to go back to school. He warned that now was not the time for rolling the leader but for coming together as a cohesive unit, and that meant bringing an end to the leaks that had proved damaging in the lead up to polling day. Hear! Hear!
Steven said, “I don’t think there should be any change. I think Judith has done a good job. By her own admission she says it hasn’t been perfect – it’s very hard for it to be in that situation.” I completely agree. Nobody in the party would or could have done a better job. She was up against Covid and the media plus traitors in her own party. Whoever they are they should hang their heads in shame and deserved to have been booted out at the weekend. Steven said now more than ever was the time to have a united caucus.
I couldn’t agree more. Those with inflated egos need to pull their heads in. No one is bigger than the party. There has to be a concerted effort to put in place a winning strategy for 2023. The National Party needs to examine itself and ensure its structures are relevant to the present day but this should not be at the expense of its core values. National needs to win back its heartland, and become more community involved at the local level. Election wins can’t be taken for granted.
From an onlookers perspective, National was due for a reset. There is now no excuse for not implementing new structures as to how the party is run. I think National has become too corporate and has, inadvertently or otherwise, divorced itself from its grassroots. There needs to be renewed activity at that level and fresh ideas are needed to achieve this. If the party carries on as it is then they risk Act taking over the right-of-centre turf. There needs to be a sense of urgency so as to have the necessary work completed as soon as practicable so the plans can be activated.
If Covid hadn’t happened we may well not be having this conversation. Remember, before Covid struck, the polls had National in the game. Now that the party is in this position the challenge is to position itself to benefit from it. That means a win in 2023. What I have mentioned above, will only succeed if EVERYBODY in the caucus unites behind Judith. She has got the experience and the leadership qualities to destroy the Government. Just imagine 65 Phil Twyfords!
Here’s the deal you lot – SHUT YOUR GOBS AND GET IN BEHIND!
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