Despite Christopher Luxon's win, there is obviously a significant part of his team that have little confidence in him. It's strongest amongst the backbenchers who can see their list seats evaporating, but it's also present in the front bench no matter what they say. And that is on the Prime Minister. Because all coups happen when MPs lose confidence in their leaders' messaging.
Choosing the CEO model with little ministerial workload, Christopher Luxon's only job for the National Party and the country is to sell the National Party policies and ideas that have been rustled up by his caucus. When the ones who have done the hard work see him floundering to sell these ideas and policies, they get grumpy and start thinking that they could do a better job. So it came down to a crisis meeting.
Chris Penk, the only one with the balls to face off with the Prime Minister. Now I don't think he wanted the Prime Minister's job. I think he might have wanted deputy to one of two people who I won't name here. But he was prepared to be the enabler, the catalyst, to get things started. But then the Prime Minister read the riot act and everyone folded. And say what you want about Christopher Luxon. In public he may be perceived as a clumsy doofus, but it appears that behind closed doors he reads a really good riot act. And that's what you learn at the top end of business.
So Chris was hoping, Chris Penk, too many Chrises, Chris Penk's hoping to be the catalyst for a main contender. Those contenders chickened out immediately once they saw the full force of Hurricane Luxton. Guess what? No Penk family Christmas card for those guys. And now I come to the scapegoating. Tom Coghlan and the media have been blamed for rusting this up. But all Tom did was report from the disaffected, who were National Party members. He would have got the word from at least two of them because that is what journalists do. But, you know, the messenger always gets blamed.
I call that lazy deflection. And then there's poor old Chris Penk. He must have known the risk and, you know, I don't think he cared. He either ended out in a stronger position or he had to leave. Now, Chris Pink is coming to the end of three terms when the great super deal kicks in. So for him, it was win-win. It was all or nothing and he doesn't care. He now leaves. Or in other words, escapes the cesspit and can get on with a more rewarding life. So all this was what it was. If it affects your vote, then that's your call. It didn't sway me whatsoever because I vote for the team and their policies, not the show ponies on the top.
But what I do know is the Prime Minister called a nationwide buster of all MPs and their staff in recess week, the week they went to their electorate and started stomping around doing some ground level campaigning. They lost two days of electioneering. That has to have an impact.
Andrew Dickens is a broadcaster with Newstalk ZB. - where this article was sourced.
10 comments:
I just watched Chris Lynch interview Luxon. He asked him if he took any responsibility for the events of the last few days. His answer was no. Lynch let him get away with that. This attempted coup would not have happened if Luxon had not said such stupid things. He would not have the numbers to have a referendum on MMP. If he wants to improve his chances, he could propose a referendum on the continuation of the Maori seats. He would have the numbers for that.
David Seymours Treaty principals bill incapsulated the very foundation of a modern, liberal democracy.
Christopher Luxon, along it would seem all parties in the house, with the exception of the ACT party.
are of the opinion, this is not the case.
How on earth can New Zealanders have faith in our parliament?
This episode demonstrates that maybe other members of the National party are in total disagreement with it's leadership.
My admiration lies with Chris Penk, at least he had the balls to front up.
The others, coward's all.
Reading the riot act after the insurrection has started is not the signif a top CEO. He should have seen it coming and stopped it early, that would have been the sign of a good CEO.
Twice now he has been caught out. Twice someone has leaked it to the press early. Would those conspiring have leaked, unlikely. Would Luxon, on finding out late, ensure it is leaked to put pressure on a not quite ready mutiny. Absolutely. Yet again, not the sign of a half decent middle manager, let alone some high flying CEO
Agree with Andrew’s summation. We’ve yet to hear Penk’s account of what transpired, so in that context we might have opinions but we are not really informed. Typical of our politics these days.
Sadly what has happened within The NZ National Party re " changes at the top' is not new, as this Party has a past history of doing the same thing.
The sad "downside" is their voting base do not understand, not want to and thus continue to support them.
But then again within Western Democratic Politics, their are Political parties that do the same thing.
You can see why the lessor Parties are staring to build up their profiles.
Well I wonder if scapegoat is the right word. Either, like you said, Chris Penk doesn’t care either way, so he gave it a go - even if it damages the party that he is supposedly supporting, or he and his mates didn’t have what it takes to finish the job. Either way - it is a pretty bad look
Full credit to Penk for having the gumption to stand up to Luxon and his weak social policies especially regarding the rapid degradation of democracy, with the overwhelming Maori push over tactics on Luxon.
Mr Luxon, are you reading the room ???
Oh hush mudbayroger, 92% of kiwis want nothing to do with Seymour’s claptrap. Honestly, people just need to take responsibility for their own lives instead of waiting for politicians to solve all their problems. We used to be hard working, not a bunch of whingers
Why do chicken coops only have 2 doors?
Because if they had 4 doors they’d be chicken sedans.
About as relevant as talking about rolling Luxon, should have been done 12 months ago but National has no one capable of taking over. The 2 most obvious can only wait until after the election.
Though they speak with the tongues of angels and saints they would still be politicians whose first priority is gaining power through capturing votes. Sadly, governing the country comes second to getting and keeping power. It is a game whose prize is public office and the enjoyment of the status and benefits which come from that. Not enough politicians put the needs of the nation before their own personal advancement.
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