The headline of this article has an obvious implication: what we need in terms of leadership is not what we are getting. Why? The answer lies in looking at parliament as a whole. Look at the MPs and the truth is there are very few who could offer strong leadership. Certainly there are none on the left, and regrettably, very few on the right. That is the truth of the matter.
I’m not saying there are not good people in the coalition. Some ministers are performing well. Names that come to mind are Todd McClay, Simeon Brown, Karen Chhour, Brooke van Velden, Nicole McKee, David Seymour, Louise Upston, Chris Penk, Chris Bishop, Winston Peters and Erica Stanford (with the exception of her big mistake of Māorifying the education system). That’s just over half of the cabinet. Nicola Willis would come with a question mark or two.
You are welcome to take issue with some of the names but I see these ministers as, at the very least, being proactive in their portfolios but perhaps not always in a way we would like. I have left two names off the list and these are my preferred picks for leader and deputy. Before throwing the names out there it is worth considering the traits needed to make a good leader. Some words that come to mind are: innovative, decisive, dedicated, objective, focused, passionate, positive, optimistic and empowering.
You might like to think how many of these words are applicable to the current leadership. I feel not many, which is why there is a feeling of lethargy, negativity and a lack of optimism pervading the country. These overall feelings are the reasons that the good work that is being done is largely ignored or not noticed. This situation can largely be laid at the door of the current prime minister. Real enthusiasm is lacking. The spark, whereby the good feeling might be lit, is just not there.
It’s like we’re drifting, almost in a state of limbo, waiting for something to happen. This situation cannot continue: it is not good for the country or the people. We need somebody to shake the country out of its inertia –a leader and a deputy who can breathe life and positivity into the place and the economy. The two I have in mind are Judith Collins and Shane Jones. These two, to my mind, most encompass the words mentioned above. We need people with a no-nonsense attitude.
There might be some raised eyebrows at Judith’s name but bear with me. On the couple of occasions that I have met with Judith what stood out to me was her positivity, her enthusiasm and her decisiveness. Her appointment as leader of the National Party prior to the 2020 election should not be the yardstick by which she is judged. In my view she was let down by her advisors in the party. Coupled with that was the country’s totally misplaced infatuation with the tyrant who was in charge.
The results of that election tell us no leader of the National Party would have won. I think Judith’s time has come for the following reason. Politicians succeeding in today’s world are those who show a measure of defined direction and purpose and introduce policies to ensure the direction and purpose is achieved. No DEI nonsense, no transgender rubbish, a considered approach to climate change and freedom of speech and religion. For us, add in ending the idiocy of trying to placate radical Māori.
You get these things when politicians listen to what the people want and campaign on those very issues. People have then voted them in. Trump did exactly that and won in a landslide, In the UK, Nigel Farage is executing the same strategy and, as of the moment, it is paying off handsomely. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni is leading the most stable government that country has seen in a long while. Trump and Farage possess brashness and egos but these are overlooked: it’s their policies people want.
The positive side of Trump and Farage is that they show strength and energy. While not likening Collins or Jones to them personality wise, I think these are what they would bring to the leadership. As well there would be a definite direction, sense of purpose and an enthusiasm for the future of the country. They would bring some badly needed re-energising to the table and the country would be put on a positive path.
I see Judith concentrating on the country being innovative and positive in outlook. She would empower her ministers to be decisive, dedicated and focused working in their portfolios. Shane would provide objectivity, optimism and passion. There is little doubt the Māori and Green nonsense would disappear. Frogs, moths and lizards would be very much endangered species. Mining and oil and gas would be protected industries with measures put in place to ensure their continuance.
Collins and Jones leave you in no doubt as to their thinking and sense of purpose. On the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui Judith said “We often hear that ‘we don’t want this to happen again’. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN.” Of the recommendations in the report she said “Do the lot, do it well and DON’T EVER LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.” There is a definitive sound to her voice which Luxon lacks.
Shane Jones sends forth similar vibes. Who can forget his remark re mining “IF THERES A BLIND FROG IN THE WAY, IT’S GOODBYE FREDDIE”. This is the sort of decisive language that we are sorely need. With Luxon and McClay on the trade front and Peters leading foreign affairs, we are well served internationally. The problems are on the home front and this is where the current leadership is letting us down: not enough assertiveness and too much kowtowing to a particular small group of radicals who need to be given a dose of reality.
As an alternative, how about Seymour and Jones? They would certainly put the Māori issues to bed and, as evidenced by a letter he sent this week, Seymour would also sort the United Nations out. For Seymour and Jones to be in charge National would have to be a junior partner but, the way they are going, that is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
This obsession with the Māorification has to stop. It is not what we voted for and it is not what we were promised – in fact quite the opposite. Luxon’s continual pandering to this insanity is holding the country back and it’s hurting National’s popularity. He’ll get no thanks for it and we will continue to find ourselves living in a divided country. Our best hopes for averting this calamity lie with Seymour, Peters and Jones.
Another name that could be in the hat is Simeon Brown. I see him as a possible future leader. For me, as of now, it is Collins and Jones or Seymour and Jones. As with Trump and Farage, potential leaders should not be ruled out on any one particular negative feeling. It is the good of the country and the policies on offer that matter.
There are no doubt people reading this with other opinions. Let’s hear them. Anyone for Judith and Winston? They appear to have good synergy. What say you?
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
You are welcome to take issue with some of the names but I see these ministers as, at the very least, being proactive in their portfolios but perhaps not always in a way we would like. I have left two names off the list and these are my preferred picks for leader and deputy. Before throwing the names out there it is worth considering the traits needed to make a good leader. Some words that come to mind are: innovative, decisive, dedicated, objective, focused, passionate, positive, optimistic and empowering.
You might like to think how many of these words are applicable to the current leadership. I feel not many, which is why there is a feeling of lethargy, negativity and a lack of optimism pervading the country. These overall feelings are the reasons that the good work that is being done is largely ignored or not noticed. This situation can largely be laid at the door of the current prime minister. Real enthusiasm is lacking. The spark, whereby the good feeling might be lit, is just not there.
It’s like we’re drifting, almost in a state of limbo, waiting for something to happen. This situation cannot continue: it is not good for the country or the people. We need somebody to shake the country out of its inertia –a leader and a deputy who can breathe life and positivity into the place and the economy. The two I have in mind are Judith Collins and Shane Jones. These two, to my mind, most encompass the words mentioned above. We need people with a no-nonsense attitude.
There might be some raised eyebrows at Judith’s name but bear with me. On the couple of occasions that I have met with Judith what stood out to me was her positivity, her enthusiasm and her decisiveness. Her appointment as leader of the National Party prior to the 2020 election should not be the yardstick by which she is judged. In my view she was let down by her advisors in the party. Coupled with that was the country’s totally misplaced infatuation with the tyrant who was in charge.
The results of that election tell us no leader of the National Party would have won. I think Judith’s time has come for the following reason. Politicians succeeding in today’s world are those who show a measure of defined direction and purpose and introduce policies to ensure the direction and purpose is achieved. No DEI nonsense, no transgender rubbish, a considered approach to climate change and freedom of speech and religion. For us, add in ending the idiocy of trying to placate radical Māori.
You get these things when politicians listen to what the people want and campaign on those very issues. People have then voted them in. Trump did exactly that and won in a landslide, In the UK, Nigel Farage is executing the same strategy and, as of the moment, it is paying off handsomely. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni is leading the most stable government that country has seen in a long while. Trump and Farage possess brashness and egos but these are overlooked: it’s their policies people want.
The positive side of Trump and Farage is that they show strength and energy. While not likening Collins or Jones to them personality wise, I think these are what they would bring to the leadership. As well there would be a definite direction, sense of purpose and an enthusiasm for the future of the country. They would bring some badly needed re-energising to the table and the country would be put on a positive path.
I see Judith concentrating on the country being innovative and positive in outlook. She would empower her ministers to be decisive, dedicated and focused working in their portfolios. Shane would provide objectivity, optimism and passion. There is little doubt the Māori and Green nonsense would disappear. Frogs, moths and lizards would be very much endangered species. Mining and oil and gas would be protected industries with measures put in place to ensure their continuance.
Collins and Jones leave you in no doubt as to their thinking and sense of purpose. On the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui Judith said “We often hear that ‘we don’t want this to happen again’. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN.” Of the recommendations in the report she said “Do the lot, do it well and DON’T EVER LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.” There is a definitive sound to her voice which Luxon lacks.
Shane Jones sends forth similar vibes. Who can forget his remark re mining “IF THERES A BLIND FROG IN THE WAY, IT’S GOODBYE FREDDIE”. This is the sort of decisive language that we are sorely need. With Luxon and McClay on the trade front and Peters leading foreign affairs, we are well served internationally. The problems are on the home front and this is where the current leadership is letting us down: not enough assertiveness and too much kowtowing to a particular small group of radicals who need to be given a dose of reality.
As an alternative, how about Seymour and Jones? They would certainly put the Māori issues to bed and, as evidenced by a letter he sent this week, Seymour would also sort the United Nations out. For Seymour and Jones to be in charge National would have to be a junior partner but, the way they are going, that is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
This obsession with the Māorification has to stop. It is not what we voted for and it is not what we were promised – in fact quite the opposite. Luxon’s continual pandering to this insanity is holding the country back and it’s hurting National’s popularity. He’ll get no thanks for it and we will continue to find ourselves living in a divided country. Our best hopes for averting this calamity lie with Seymour, Peters and Jones.
Another name that could be in the hat is Simeon Brown. I see him as a possible future leader. For me, as of now, it is Collins and Jones or Seymour and Jones. As with Trump and Farage, potential leaders should not be ruled out on any one particular negative feeling. It is the good of the country and the policies on offer that matter.
There are no doubt people reading this with other opinions. Let’s hear them. Anyone for Judith and Winston? They appear to have good synergy. What say you?
JC is a right-wing crusader. Reached an age that embodies the dictum only the good die young. This article was first published HERE
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