Another bid comes in for Nat’s leader 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,’’ he said.
‘‘Our country has prospered over the last few years, but ongoing success isn’t something you can ever take for granted.’’
Mitchell said he brought a number of qualities to the leadership; the ability to bring unity to a team, pragmatism and a type of ‘‘kind conservatism’’.
An MP who enjoys respect from all sides of the House, Mitchell is also known to have a good relationship with NZ First leader Winston Peters, which has been a thorny issue under both former Prime Minister John Key and outgoing leader Bill English.
However, that would not get in the way of his role in Opposition.
‘‘I am [friendly with Peters] because I’m the captain of the Parliamentary Rugby Team and Winston is our media liaison officer.
‘‘So, you can imagine we don’t get much media. But look, Winston is on notice. If I am successful in the leadership, then he’s in Government and I’m in Opposition – we’re going to hold them to account.’’
To reclaim Government, Mitchell said National needed to hold Labour to account.
‘‘Although they’ve been formed legitimately under an MMP system, we’re already starting to see cracks appear.
‘‘You’ve got seven per cent (NZ First), that’s starting to control 34 per cent (Labour).
‘‘And I think that those tensions are going to continue to grow, and they’re actually going to have to deliver.’’
His relatively low public profile was not an issue, Mitchell said.
Father of five, Mitchell came into Parliament in 2011 and is wellliked 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.
It was earlier, during his police career however, Mitchell and his dog Czar were stabbed during an armed encounter in Rotorua.
Czar made a full recovery, but Mitchell never regained the full use of his right arm.
Mitchell would join Judith Collins, Simon Bridges and Amy Adams in the contest for National’s stop spot.
It’s understood Mitchell comes into the competition with strong backbench support.