Simon ‘upbeat’ about leadership bid

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges has announced he will be running for the leadership of the National Party against Judith Collins. File photo.

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges has today announced his intention to run for leader of the National Party.

He joins Judith Collins, who has also thrown her hat in ring, following Bill English's surprise resignation on Tuesday.

Simon says since Bill stepped down, many colleagues have spoken to him about standing for leader, giving him confidence he has ‘strong support' in caucus.

'We can win in 2020 and I'm excited about that. We have the best values for this country, whether it's personal freedom and responsibility, to strong families,” he says.

'But we do need to renew and refresh. That means blending our experience with the bundles of talent we have in the caucus and ensure that continues to come through.

'I think I bring that blend of generational change as well as the experience I have in government and now in opposition.”

He says he's ‘upbeat' about the leadership contest, and is looking forward to pitching his case to his caucus colleagues in the next two weeks.

'There will be many people in the caucus thinking this through and I'm sure there will be strong competition.”

He has spoken favourably of other potential leadership contenders, including Amy Adams and Steven Joyce, and made positive comments about Judith Collins.

'I think she is a star who brings a lot to the caucus. Whatever happens you would want her in your line-up. She has great values and speaks to a lot New Zealanders.”

He says he is not interested in running on a ‘ticket' with a potential new deputy leader.

'At the moment we have a situation where we have a deputy and there is no vacancy. I could work with Paula Bennett.”

Although he won't say at this stage what his vision would be for National in terms of new policies, Simon says the main focus for him would be becoming a real government-in-waiting.

'If you look at what happened to the Labour opposition, they were there for nine years, and I don't think they had a strong agenda for leading the country. We need to oppose the things that need to be opposed, but we also need evolve with the times.

'We're more positive and aspirational for New Zealand, ironically, than the government. New Zealand is a great country with a strong economy, and there's no reason – other than bad policies – for that to change.”

At 41, Simon would be one of the youngest people to hold the position of National Party leader – although Bill English and Jim McClay were both 39 and 38, respectively, when they took on the role.

You may also like....

10 comments

God Please Please give us HELP

Posted on 14-02-2018 11:12 | By Chookymac

Well Labour. If this is the best the Nats can produce looks like you are anchored in charge for some time yet


cool

Posted on 14-02-2018 11:17 | By Capt_Kaveman

which = another loss by the Nats


Never stand behind a horse or in front of a Politician

Posted on 14-02-2018 14:16 | By ROCCO

Heaven help us all as the whole National line up particularly him inspire no confidence .Mind you the Labour outfit are a motley lot too and they are the Govt. Who the hell can we turn too !!!!


The

Posted on 14-02-2018 15:53 | By Merlin

The King of photo opps at least 5 on the web so far this week.Not my cup of tea as I did not get an invite to his garden party.


Darn

Posted on 14-02-2018 18:32 | By Told you

Another two weeks of trying to get someone to lead the National Party,what a shambles.


Turn off

Posted on 14-02-2018 21:14 | By penguin

The more one sees pics of Bridges, the more it is a turn-off. And from the ''retreat'' in Tauranga; the fanfare of how much money had been donated to the cause. If that is supposed to indicate support and popularity then we are headed down the American road where elections are essentially business and not politics.


Bad enough he's in Tauranga

Posted on 15-02-2018 05:41 | By Hissymo

Judith Collins has more grit and guts than Bridges will ever have.


Equal opportunities

Posted on 15-02-2018 06:31 | By maildrop

It will be good to see someone with special abilities take on the role. He speaks so eloquently you'd never know. Good luck.


Not impressed

Posted on 15-02-2018 07:55 | By Told you

Oh no not Simon, kiss goodbye to winning an election for many a year.


Jacinda must stay

Posted on 15-02-2018 11:01 | By comfortablynumb

Yes lets see Simon or Judith win the leadership then there will be no chance of National being re- elected next time around.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.