Summarised by Centrist
Christopher Luxon has survived an unusual self-initiated confidence vote in his own caucus.
He emerged to declare that National MPs had “clearly and decisively” backed him after days of leadership speculation.
After a marathon closed-door meeting, Luxon said he had moved “a formal motion of confidence” in his leadership to put the matter to bed, and insisted the vote confirmed, “what I have been saying, I have the support of my caucus as their leader”.
The drama followed a bruising week in which National slumped to just under 30 per cent in the polls, and questions swirled about unrest in the caucus.
Luxon had already conceded on Monday that “probably five people” in his caucus were “moaning and frustrated” and leaking against him, an admission that gave substance to what he later tried to dismiss as a media-driven sideshow.
While acknowledging that “a free press is important in a democracy”, he said, “if the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour, I am not going to engage.”
He contrasted leadership reporting with what he said New Zealanders actually cared about, calling the saga a “media soap opera” while saying voters were focused on “their mortgage, their kids’ education, and the safety and security of their community” before declaring the issue “now closed”.
Chris Bishop described caucus discussions as “robust” and that anonymous briefings to reporters were “really untidy and really unhelpful and destructive of morale and confidence in the caucus”. “I’m confident it will stop,” he added.
Coalition partner Winston Peters was openly scathing, calling the vote “a very bad move” and warning, “There are going to be consequences for that,” suggesting the vote was unnecessary, made Luxon look weak, and handed the media and opposition a story about government instability.
[fetch_poll id=”69e80454a67411d1279357a9″]
