New Nat MPs put Mitchell into race
Virtual unknown Mark Mitchell has announced his contention for National Party leadership and says he is ‘‘putting Winston on notice’’.
At a conference in Auckland, Mitchell said National needed a leader that could ‘‘take action’’ and make the most of the party’s talents to win in 2020.
‘‘I am that person,’’ he said. ‘‘This isn’t about personal ambition or who can be the toughest or the nicest. This is a serious decision for our caucus about who we want to see as the next prime minister.
‘‘Governing New Zealand is not, and never should be, an experiment. Jacinda Ardern’s vision lacks any substance. She has no clear plan for this country and her government is making it up as it goes along. This simply isn’t good enough.
‘‘Our country has prospered over the last few years, but ongoing success isn’t something you can ever take for granted.’’
Mitchell came into Parliament in 2011 and is well-liked among National’s caucus, but is not wellknown to the public. He rose to defence minister under the Bill English prime ministership, but it might be his back story before Parliament that captures the imagination of voters.
A former police dog handler, and member of the armed offenders squad, Mitchell later went on to become a top international hostage negotiator and establish a successful security consultancy that operates in the Middle East. He’s had to fight for his life during a five-day siege in Iraq.
Mitchell joins Judith Collins, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams in the contest for the stop spot. The other three confirmed contenders announced their bids last week, in varying fashion.
Last week, Mitchell all but announced his plan to run, though said he would not make any announcement until after a weekend in Australia, watching his daughter compete in a surf lifesaving competition.
It’s understood Mitchell comes into the competition with strong backbench support. Sources have indicated a number of junior MPs have asked him to stand.
While it’s unclear how their support might hold once momentum began to swing behind a more senior candidate, the entry of Mitchell into the contest might still bode positively for him, even if he loses.
His presence in the competition could be a crucial voice to further strengthen backbench involvement in party decisions, and as a well-liked member of Parliament – not just within the National caucus – Mitchell could see promotion up the party ranks in a show of unity.