Muller talks up ‘Team National’
Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller has rolled Simon Bridges to become the leader of the National Party.
He will now lead the party to the election on September 19, and Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye will be his deputy.
In a statement, Muller stressed unity after the divisive spill.
‘‘There is no Team Todd, there is no Team Nikki, or anyone else – there is only Team National,’’ Muller said.
‘‘National has always been a coalition of city and country, business and community, conservatives and liberals – National is the party for all New Zealanders,’’ he said.
Rumours about challenges to Bridges’ leadership had been rife for months, but a challenge only materialised this week after a dreadful Newshub/Reid Research poll put the party’s support at just 30.6 per cent.
Muller arrived at Parliament yesterday saying it was a ‘‘momentous day for the National Party.’’
The leadership change was voted on by members of the National party caucus who gathered in Wellington at noon.
Bridges initially denied rumours of a spill, but later changed his tune, acknowledging on Wednesday that there was a challenge.
By Wednesday afternoon, Muller was openly challenging Bridges by requesting a leadership ballot.
In a letter to all MPs, leaked to Stuff, Muller said it was ‘‘essential’’ that National wins the 2020 election.
‘‘I share the view of a majority of colleagues that this is not possible under the current leadership,’’ the letter said. ‘‘I believe I am best placed to earn the trust of New Zealanders by September 19’’.
Muller was a staffer in the Government of Jim Bolger. He left politics for the private sector and had a career working in the primary industries
at companies including Zespri and Fonterra.
He is a social conservative, and voted against the recent bill to liberalise abortion.
Kaye is from the socially liberal wing of the party.
National MPs voted in a secret ballot, meaning we will never know exactly who voted for whom. Ahead of the count there was a large number of undecided votes.
Some MPs alleged that there were several votes pledged to both candidates.
Muller said his focus was now on the election.
‘‘New Zealanders need a National Government with the experience and management skills to get our country through the worst crisis since the end of the Second World War.
‘‘My focus as leader is our country’s economic recovery and the strengthening of every community throughout New Zealand,’’ Muller said.
‘‘National has always been a coalition of city and country, business and community, conservatives and liberals – National is the party for all New Zealanders.’’
Todd Muller, National Party leader