National’s list has one slot to fill

There are few surprises in National’s new rankings for the 2017 election - but there have been some big moves as some MPS fall in and out of favour and there is one gaping hole.

The list largely reflects the big changes in National’s top bench after the shock resignation of former prime minister John Key, ranking his successor Bill English in the number one slot and moving Paula Bennett to number two as his deputy.

Speaker David Carter takes third spot while Steven Joyce is also bumped up to reflect his new role as finance minister.

There is one spot that is yet to be filled, however - the Clutha Southland electorate is yet to select a candidate to replace outgoing MP Todd Barclay, who was forced to step down at the next election over a scandal involving his electorate office. Dunedin-based candidate Hamish Walker is the Wellington favourite for the job but the electorate has previously bucked outside influence by selecting Barclay over a candidate favoured by the party hierarchy.

Other big moves mostly reflect the departure of some big names in the lineup including former foreign minister Murray Mccully, former education minister Hekia Parata, back benchers including Maurice Williamson - who is off to a diplomatic job - and minor portfolio ministers Sam Lotu-iiga and former commerce minister Craig Foss. But former high flier Judith Collins has been bumped 10 spots down the list compared with 2014, dropping from 6th to 16th place. She spent 2014-15 on the back benches as collateral damage from the dirty politics scandal. After returning to Key’s Cabinet in 2016 she lost some ranking in English’s new Cabinet in 2016.

Beleaguered Nelson MP Nick Smith retains his high list ranking, however, despite a mood in some quarters of the party that he should move on.

National’s high poll rating means the list is unlikely to be controversial - none of the sitting MPS looks threatened on current polling and the large number of retirements means National should be able to bank on the election delivering as many as 13 new MPS, while returning all 47 sitting MPS.