OPINION: Judith Collins National Party leadership is under more scrutiny, with increased talk in the media of her being replaced by brand new MP Christopher Luxon.
For many commentators, it s just a question of when rather than if Collins is replaced. While others ponder whether Luxon really has what it takes to do better than the incumbent.
On Thursday,
the Herald s Claire Trevett wrote about the prospect of Luxon taking over the deputy leader role, with Simon Bridges returning to the top spot.
The theory put forward is that while Luxon might ultimately be the leader National needs, first he needs experience. Therefore, he might serve an apprenticeship under Bridges first, as deputy and Finance spokesperson.
Political Roundup: Rumours of Collins being rolled by Luxon and Bridges nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
3.15pm: National created two versions of election review – report
A follow-up to a news story from earlier (see: 12.40pm) on National’s review into last year’s election loss.
Newshub’s Tova O’Brien has revealed that the National Party has created two versions of its election review. One is the full, unedited report while the other is a sanitised version with all the “gory details taken out”. Those are the words, according to O’Brien, of a party insider.
Newshub has been told that the party is frustrated with the closed process after being told to disclose everything during the review process. We can, almost certainly, expect more on this at 6pm.
By Peter Wilson
Analysis - The week began with the prime minister saying lockdown rule-breakers were facing the full judgment of the entire nation and ended with uncertainty about whether they were clearly told the rules in the first place.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins say communications to Case L s family were clear. (File image)
Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas
At her widely reported post-cabinet press conference on Monday, Jacinda Ardern said some recent Covid-19 cases had committed intolerable breaches and let down the team of five million.
Her unusually strong comments followed the discovery that there had been a previously unknown contact between two mothers. The first was from a family that was meant to be isolating, and they went for a walk together.
Cricklewood 3
Have to say the recent comments from Jacinda regarding calling out those not following the rules is a miss step I know she said to do it nicely etc but from what I ve seen today at least some people havent seen that part.
Saw someone getting really nasty to a stranger at countdown and the calls to punish the rulebreakers are I think counterproductive.
All it will achieve is a climate of fear where people refuse to talk for fear of being singled out. Its completely counter productive.
David 3.1
Agree. I think the messaging from the PM has been off point in 2021. I’m surprised given it was very clear in 2020.