Pantomine season

I wonder if as a child you attended a Christmas season pantomime. There was always a leading goodie character and of course a villain. It was the villain who got everyone shouting something that got everyone responding to his ‘‘oh yes I can,’’ ‘‘oh no you can’t!’’

On Wednesday, National Party leader Christopher Luxon appeared on breakfast television and affirmed he categorically would not as prime minister remove the clean car discounts on electric cars.

‘‘Oh yes I can’’ (affirm that promise) he said. Shortly after the interview he said ‘‘I misspoke, and I will remove the clean car discounts if elected prime minister.’’

We who hope to purchase an electric car of course and probably every car dealer shouted, ‘‘oh no you can’t’’.

Was this the National Party pantomime or a prospective leader failing his audition. ‘‘Thank you, next leader please. Now Nicola your view as National Party leader in waiting please?’’

Ian Hanley Timaru