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Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Ross Meurant: No Matter How Long the Night the Dawn will surely Come


After a long dark night, the elevation of conservative Christopher Luxon to Leadership of National with a Liberal Lass Mz Willis at his side, was the dawning of a new day, for thousands of National voters who had abandoned the political party which had served as their natural refuge for decades.

Never had National seen such an exodus of philosophically inclined followers, as they witnessed at the 2019 General election when the MMP system of democracy bequeathed the nation by Jim Bolger, delivered Labour a ‘once in nine elections’ exception: To Rule Alone.

Never had I and many others, witnessed such a pitiful performance by National in Opposition, as has been parody on display since Labour took the Treasury Benches. A tsunami of supporters abandoned ship.

By his first appearance as Leader of National, Christopher won votes.

He looked the part.

His delivery – that is, speaking – a quantum leap above the other pretenders to the National party throne and totally devoid of the obfuscation, prevarication and deliberate avoidance of the issue at hand (being an art at which the current Prime Minister excels).

Having said that, in a different interview, Christopher Luxon did appear to be under some pressure when questioned about his religious beliefs.  I say to you Mr Luxon:

Thank Christ for Chris – say I, a pagan.

Religion is your private business.  Same as are all family affairs.  So, when media enquire, tell them: “None of your business.”   

Mr Luxon addressed the appalling state of New Zealand’s productive capacity although the drift toward what is now a virtual vacant factory floor may well have been accelerated under the John Key Free China Trade deal. [I mention this contributory factor as a matter of self-integrity and aim to be objective.]

He mentioned the importance of the primary sector: Farmers.

Addressing the imminent rise in inflation and collateral issues: rising fuel costs which means rising transport costs which means increased food cost et al, demonstrates that Mr Luxon’s mind is on the bits that are critical to New Zealand emerging out the other end, still in one piece.

By the time the next election arrives, the full adverse impact of rising inflation will be upon the nation.   Mr Luxon’s focus on the economy suggests to me that he already has policy in mind, to ameliorate the damage.

One thing for sure is: Jacinda and her team have no idea.

He mentioned education.  Perhaps he was referring to the pitiful standard of mathematics and science taught in our schools?  Perhaps he was referring to the dependence on foreign student revenue to sustain our universities?  Whatever.  He mentioned, education.

Mr Luxon always referred to our country as New Zealand. 

When it came to the divisive Maori issue, his careful choice of lexicon “We are inclusive” was prudent.  Inclusive is the opposite to exclusive.

In my view, it would have been injudicious to forcefully attack Labour’s Maori policy of exclusivity, first time on the podium.  

However, sooner or later, if he does not signal clearly that National is for equality of all before the law and will oppose and repeal the avaricious legally unjustifiable asset grab by Maori, then the honeymoon he is about to embark on, will end.

It will end in another divorce from a very large section of traditional National support which at this moment clamours to follow this new champion of: equality before the law, protection of property ownership and protection of freedoms fast evaporating under Labour.

The divorcee will search for a New Minor Party centre right – to take up the cause.

The next polls will undoubted elevate National at ACT’s expense.

Some would say (and I have), that ACT’s rise in the polls was largely as a result of National’s pitiful performance.

Mr Seymour has done well to respond to problems presented by Labour.  But he has failed in my view, to put a firm peg in the ground on the divisive Maori issue.  Nor have I seen any sage economic policy emerge.

If Mr Seymour lost the chance of a lifetime, to cement himself as the Leader New Zealand could rely on to fix the mess we are in, it is now Mr Luxon’s turn.

It is Luxon’s to Lose.

Ross Meurant, graduate in politics both at university and as a Member of Parliament; formerly police inspector in charge of Auckland spies & V.I.P. security; currently Honorary Consul for an African state, Trustee and CEO of Russian owned commercial assets in New Zealand and has international business interests.

5 comments:

DeeM said...

I'm reserving judgement on Mr Luxon until we've seen his views across a whole range of issues, including the critical pro-Maori agenda that Labour have embraced. Some of his past comments (NZ history curriculum) have certainly leaned that way.

He is without doubt a natural communicator and should present a lot better than his 3 predecessors, who either grated on you like a fingernail on a blackboard (Bridges) or often seemed bewildered (Collins). Not worth commenting on the other one who wasn't around long enough.
Hopefully, being a bit woke he should attract some voters back from Labour. Let's face it if he can't he'll be as useless as the others, because that's the only way we'll get a National-ACT government in 2023.
Come on Chris. Impress us all and show us you care about ALL Kiwis, irrespective of race.

Anonymous said...

Well said. A bag of mixed thoughts.
While he does seem to present fresh face for the shunted National Party I do hope he will bring evolutionised National Party. For the worse, at least he could be better than Labour Party that has achieved minimal, if not none at all. A great division between the races are becoming more pronounced and greater friction built up. Certainly many are desperately looking for better rebuilt National Party to seek a relief/refuge. If he can shine his party with his glaring bald head, surely many would come back to vote. He needs to get his act together now, lay out his plan to tell the entire New Zealand of his strategy towards our economy.

Can Mr. Luxon bring what the whole nation is in desperate need to be reached out for? Work on problems and resolving them rather than a quick fix splashing money out?

Will have to eargely wait and see but indicatively, confidence is medium.

another man said...

Whichever way you say it, it is about the Maori Apartheid being enabled by Labour/Greens.
The 17% over the 83%.
REM: ALL New Zealanders are equal, no matter how they, or their forebears got here…..
It is affecting every strata of our society and it must stop. Promises won’t count, we got that from John Key.
We want a clear vision of a race free New Zealand, equality fir ALL New Zealanders.
Free of quotas, rules, laws, seats that are race based and unelected.
No more veto by the 17% over the 83%.

Sven said...

I will not hold my breath, time will tell.

Graham B said...

I would like to think that Ross is correct, and that Chris Luxon will be the fixer of all things evil. Having lived through many elections, I can tell you (based on past experience) that when National wins, elation turns to disappointment in a very short time. As has been said by many, all National do is “press the pause button “ or “mind the shop”. My pet phrase is that National in parliament ar just “seat warmers” Based on their past performance National will do very little, so most of the vile legislation that has been passed into law recently will not be repealed, UNLESS there is a strong ACT presence (30+ seats) which will hopefully spur wishy washy National into action