In recent weeks I have criticised National’s leader Christopher Luxon for his pattern of clarification, misspeaking and walk-backs on the occasions that he says anything that could be interpreted as a concrete position. The party caucus has largely managed to still appear cohesive and supportive throughout those periods. However, the issue of bilingualism risks splitting National, just as it is splitting the country while their MPs openly disagree with one another.

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Stephen Berry is a former Act candidate and Auckland Mayoral candidate. The libertarian political commentator retired as a politician in July 2020 and now hosts the Mr Berry Mr Berry Show on Youtube.