Bennett leads in deputy PM battle
Paula Bennett is on the road to be the next deputy prime minister, with some heavy hitters in the National caucus throwing their support behind her.
Needing just seven more votes to win - the States Services Minister has seven ministers backing her and it’s likely other big names yet to declare public support are also in her camp.
Ministers Hekia Parata, Nicky Wagner, Craig Foss, Jo Goodhew and Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye have all publicly declared support for the MP for Waitakere a self-declared westie, who has risen through the ranks of Parliament to be made minister of state services and social housing, as well as an associate finance minister.
They join Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, Women’s Affairs Minister Louise Upston and Justice Minister Amy Adams who entertained running for deputy herself, before deciding against it.
National MPs Lindsay Tisch, Jian Yang, Chester Borrows, Parmjeet Parmar, Mark Mitchell, Alastair Scott, Barbara Kuriger, Alfred Ngaro, Brett Hudson, Ian McKelvie, Jono Naylor, Nuk Korako, Joanne Hayes and Jacqui Dean have also thrown their weight behind Bennett.
Needing 30 votes to become deputy, Bennett currently has 23 9including herself) while her rival, Transport Minister Simon Bridges, has nine backers.
They include Trade Minister Todd McClay, junior whip JamiLee Ross, Todd Muller, Paul Foster-Bell, Jonathan Young, Simon O’Connor, Sarah Dowie and Todd Barclay.
Meanwhile, a number of senior MPs appear to be holding their cards on deputy close to their chest.
When Health Minister Jonathan Coleman bowed out of the leadership race, he refused to back either deputy candidate.
Prime Minister John Key has also refused to voice a preference.
Steven Joyce, who English has already anointed as his finance minister, said he would think on his choice over the weekend ahead of Monday’s vote to formally appoint English as leader and to choose a deputy.
While Bennett has worked closely under him over the past year, it appeared not to be a given that he would err towards his protoge.
The race was sparked abruptly when Key shocked his party and the country by announcing his retirement on Monday.
He threw his weight behind his deputy English to succeed him, but there was quiet discontent in the caucus that the choice appeared to have made for them. It prompted a competition, which has brought to the fore differing ideas over direction.
Coleman declared as a credible contender, and Police Minister Judith Collins a wild card. It allowed the backbench - often constrained by the absolute power held by Key - to flex its muscles and lay down some expectations.
However, when it became apparent English had the numbers on Thursday afternoon, Coleman pulled out of the race and put his full support behind the new leader, but hinted it came with a price.
There needed to be much wider discussions within National’s caucus over strategic issues from now on, he said.
‘‘We’ve got to be fresh, it’s got to be more than just a new prime minister - it can’t be the John Key government without John Key.’’
Coleman would not comment on whether English had promised him any portfolios, but he had made it clear he expected a promotion.
‘‘As I said to Bill, I’m not doing this to go down in the world - I expect to be taking an active part in discussions about the future direction of the government.’’