Bennett v Bridges
All signs are that Bill English has secured the numbers to be the next prime minister, with senior National sources indicating he has a comfortable lead though English isn’t claiming victory yet.
The finance minister has already won one popularity contest - both ministers vying to be deputy want him to be the next prime minister.
After two days of prospective leaders throwing their hat in the ring, it was the turn of the wannabe deputies yesterday.
The tussling for power came on the same day Prime Minister John Key made his last appearance in question time - not that you’d know it from the lack of fanfare when he left.
Key heads on holiday straight after Monday’s caucus vote to decide the new leader, and the next time he’s in the debating chamber he’ll be sitting among the backbenchers.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges and State Services Minister Paula Bennett are both formally in the running for deputy when caucus votes next week, and it’s expected Justice Minister Amy Adams will also join the running.
Bennett said she had ruled out a leadership tilt but reckoned as deputy she had ‘‘something to offer, I’m pretty excited about the opportunity’’.
She had a ‘‘fantastic relationship’’ with English, having worked with him on the Government’s social investment strategy, and believed the pair would make a good team.
‘‘He is quick-witted, he is super intelligent, he has an integrity in his core and a belief in this country that quite frankly I find awe-inspiring.’’
Earlier, Bridges announced his bid for National’s deputy leadership, saying he offered the ‘‘generational change’’ that is needed within the party.
Bridges, 40, has also given his backing to Deputy Prime Minister English for the leadership, saying English’s ‘‘strength and stability’’ would complement his ‘‘change and rejuvenation’’.
His run for the deputy leadership was about ‘‘maintaining the legacy’’ of National’s eight years in government, while providing a fresh perspective ahead of the 2017 election.
Key had plucked Bridges ‘‘effectively from obscurity’’ to make him a minister, and he would like to see the same happen for other backbenchers.
‘‘There’s a real sense from our backbenchers that they want a champion, that they want to see after eight years in government that we’re listening, and I’m pledging to be that person that will strongly listen to them and be a champion for the backbench.’’
Contrasting himself with Bennett, Bridges said he was someone who had been a front-bench minister but ‘‘who hasn’t been in the inner sanctum’’, and who had good links across the entire National caucus.
He had spoken to leadership frontrunner, English, about his deputy intentions but English declined to show his hand on his preferred deputy, saying the caucus was ‘‘keen to have a transparent process’’.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman and wildcard Police Minister Judith Collins are also in the running to be the next prime minister - although it’s already considered to be a two-horse race between English and Coleman.
As of last night English was suspected to have all but shored up the votes.