Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appears to stumble from one catastrophic and corny social media post to another. I don’t know who’s advising him to do these video clips but it’s appallingly bad judgement. Luxon has a ‘radio face’ (he doesn’t look good on television or visual media) and a ‘print media voice’ (his voice is thin and doesn’t sound much chop on audio).
While I’m trying hard not to join the ever growing group of people dumping on him as they forecast a leadership change in National, it’s kind of hard to be kind when the PM constantly appears online with poorly designed and written ‘promos’ for a political party that has talked hard and achieved little. The latest sloganfest “going for growth” is pathetic; it’s really hard to stand up for someone who keeps talking and talking and talking.
Show me the money! Do something I can be proud of you for showing some courage! Take a risk that some people won’t like you for taking a tough decision. Stand up and take control. Stop being a nothing.
Unfortunately, I doubt that we’re going to see any change (except in the leadership).
Whether that’s because he doesn’t want to change, is unable to, is being prevented from doing so by the National Party board or God told him in a submission from above, is of little consequence. The polls have been telling it like it is for months now and National are still in decline.
To be blunt, the only reason it hasn’t happened already is that there’s no obvious replacement.
Let’s look at the potential lineup:
1. Nicola Willis
2. Chris Bishop
3. Simeon Brown
4. Erica Stanford
5. Paul Goldsmith
6. Louise Upston
7. Judith Collins
8. Shane Reti
9. Mark Mitchell
10. Todd McClay
11. Tama Potaka
12. Matt Doocey
13. Simon Watts
14. Chris Penk
15. Penny Simmonds
16. Nicola Grigg
17. Scott Simpson
18. James Meager
19. Gerry Brownlee
20. Suze Remayne
21. Barbara Kuriger
Gosh – there are a lot of names there that nobody’s even heard of. I wonder what they all actually do?
Of the ones we have heard of, who among them has leadership potential? I know a few of them rate themselves as future leaders but they don’t have that ‘X’ factor, so let’s not waste time on them.
Of the real possibilities, Deputy Leader Nicola Willis doesn’t strike me as an obvious successor for various reasons and I have a deep-seated sense that the electorate doesn’t fancy her either, so opting for the deputy at this stage might be worse than staying with what they have.
There’s Judith Collins. We all know her and, yes, she has leadership skills, but she’s already had a go. Would she be up for another whack at the top job? Would she have the pulling power with the electorate? I somehow don’t think so.
So what’s left?
Of that entire list of 21, there’s not one individual that stands out as a potential leader at this time.
Except perhaps, Simeon Brown. He might look 18 but, make no mistake about him, he’s a man who knows his mind and although he’s actually only 33, as Minister of Transport for the past year he has proven without doubt that he has the courage and conviction to do what needs to be done.
Is New Zealand ready to take on the youngest Prime Minister ever? Could Brown be the leader who wakes New Zealand up and gives it a much needed shakeup? Is there anybody else on the list that might be able to do it?
As I see it, other than Brown, there is no obvious successor who could make the necessary difference. The Nats have once again stumbled through time with little foresight and planning and are facing yet another leadership crisis as the polls continue to plummet.
The more I think of Simeon Brown as a possibility, the more I like it. He’s charismatic, articulate and intelligent. What a provocative move that would be for a dying, out-of-touch political party needing a refresh.
It would be a brave move. I don’t believe they’d be that brave, which is a shame because a change is essential.
The polls are clear. All Labour need to do to govern after the next election is keep quiet and let it happen.
Going for growth just isn’t going to cut it I’m afraid.
