Now is the time when National can find its own “Jacinda,” only if lucky though
If there was a time when the National Party could find their own - Jacinda Ardern- somebody with a midas touch that can turn everything to gold with their touch, and turnaround the fortunes - it is now.
Many Party loyalists and enthusiasts had hoped that that opportunity presented itself exactly 54 days ago, when Todd Muller had replaced Simon Bridges in a swift coup, citing the similar and much-revered change of leadership ahead of 2017 elections within the then Opposition Labour Party.
That change of the leadership, as we have seen, had dramatically transformed the fortunes of the then beleaguered Labour Party, not only catapulting it back to power after languishing in opposition trenches for nine consecutive years. But also gradually initiated a sustained shift of voter base, taking the party from high 20s to mid 40s as evident in the most recent polls
Undoubtedly, that change of leadership, and the accompanied transformation in the Labour Party’s fortunes has become deeply entrenched in the minds of the current generation of politics-enthusiasts, to an extent that many National party loyalists and neutral voters hoping to avoid a lopsided contest in the impending election, have been secretly wishing for National to find its own “Jacinda Ardern.”
Someone - who can turnaround the falling stocks of the Party and offer some glimmer of hope - so tantalisingly close to general elections.
And if that new Leader can create similar hopes and excitement among the voters as the emergence of Jacidna Ardern at the helm of the Labour Party had then created, then indeed, there will be no transgression saying that that would National’s own Jacinda Adrern.
The fact that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has a midas touch, in addition to her exceptionally supreme political communication skills, integrity and empathy to lead the nation, is beyond doubt and primarily not the focus of this piece. That’s for another day.
For now the focus is on the National Party leadership crisis which can potentially nudge the party towards a path of self-destruction, unless there is a leader at the helms, which if not much more, then at least gets the unwavering support of its caucus members akin to what Jacinda Ardern was able to get from her caucus when she took over the party leadership.
Indeed, what contributed to the meteriotic success of the Jacinda Ardern led Labour Party in 2017 elections was the unwavering support of her caucus members, which largely was fueled by the apparent lack of self-belief to challenge the leadership and left only one way forward - to move together unitedly behind the new leader Jacinda Ardern.
Clearly, National Party’s previous leadership change when Todd Muller had rolled over Simon Bridges, in what we know a closely contested challenge, the caucus was clearly divided and unsure about the leadership change that had largely succeeded because of the then leaders bluff.
Probably, and hopefully, this time National’s shell shocked caucus will not be that divided and unassured, simply for the reason that the current situation does not leave them with that many options.
It is likely that the caucus could opt for a consensus candidate rather than a show of strength, as they might have learnt a bitter lesson by the open unflinching display of ambition for political power from the last time of leadership-change.
Anyway, the party is still reeling under the side effects of distortion that inevitably comes by being so close to political power in the downfall of the likes of Hamish Walker, Mchelle Bloag and unfortunately Todd Muller.
So at least we can expect the caucus will pause and reflect upon this new learning and let the likes of Judith Collins have her long awaited moment of life and assume leadership.
However, it's not to suggest in any way that she can be entitled to be a match for Jacinda Ardern and her style of politics of kindness.
It’s just to submit that the next incoming Party Leader deserves the support of an undivided caucus, if any meaningful fight was to be given to the government in the next elections.
If there was a time when the National Party could find their own - Jacinda Ardern- somebody with a midas touch that can turn everything to gold with their touch, and turnaround the fortunes - it is now.
Many Party loyalists and enthusiasts had hoped that that opportunity presented itself exactly...
If there was a time when the National Party could find their own - Jacinda Ardern- somebody with a midas touch that can turn everything to gold with their touch, and turnaround the fortunes - it is now.
Many Party loyalists and enthusiasts had hoped that that opportunity presented itself exactly 54 days ago, when Todd Muller had replaced Simon Bridges in a swift coup, citing the similar and much-revered change of leadership ahead of 2017 elections within the then Opposition Labour Party.
That change of the leadership, as we have seen, had dramatically transformed the fortunes of the then beleaguered Labour Party, not only catapulting it back to power after languishing in opposition trenches for nine consecutive years. But also gradually initiated a sustained shift of voter base, taking the party from high 20s to mid 40s as evident in the most recent polls
Undoubtedly, that change of leadership, and the accompanied transformation in the Labour Party’s fortunes has become deeply entrenched in the minds of the current generation of politics-enthusiasts, to an extent that many National party loyalists and neutral voters hoping to avoid a lopsided contest in the impending election, have been secretly wishing for National to find its own “Jacinda Ardern.”
Someone - who can turnaround the falling stocks of the Party and offer some glimmer of hope - so tantalisingly close to general elections.
And if that new Leader can create similar hopes and excitement among the voters as the emergence of Jacidna Ardern at the helm of the Labour Party had then created, then indeed, there will be no transgression saying that that would National’s own Jacinda Adrern.
The fact that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has a midas touch, in addition to her exceptionally supreme political communication skills, integrity and empathy to lead the nation, is beyond doubt and primarily not the focus of this piece. That’s for another day.
For now the focus is on the National Party leadership crisis which can potentially nudge the party towards a path of self-destruction, unless there is a leader at the helms, which if not much more, then at least gets the unwavering support of its caucus members akin to what Jacinda Ardern was able to get from her caucus when she took over the party leadership.
Indeed, what contributed to the meteriotic success of the Jacinda Ardern led Labour Party in 2017 elections was the unwavering support of her caucus members, which largely was fueled by the apparent lack of self-belief to challenge the leadership and left only one way forward - to move together unitedly behind the new leader Jacinda Ardern.
Clearly, National Party’s previous leadership change when Todd Muller had rolled over Simon Bridges, in what we know a closely contested challenge, the caucus was clearly divided and unsure about the leadership change that had largely succeeded because of the then leaders bluff.
Probably, and hopefully, this time National’s shell shocked caucus will not be that divided and unassured, simply for the reason that the current situation does not leave them with that many options.
It is likely that the caucus could opt for a consensus candidate rather than a show of strength, as they might have learnt a bitter lesson by the open unflinching display of ambition for political power from the last time of leadership-change.
Anyway, the party is still reeling under the side effects of distortion that inevitably comes by being so close to political power in the downfall of the likes of Hamish Walker, Mchelle Bloag and unfortunately Todd Muller.
So at least we can expect the caucus will pause and reflect upon this new learning and let the likes of Judith Collins have her long awaited moment of life and assume leadership.
However, it's not to suggest in any way that she can be entitled to be a match for Jacinda Ardern and her style of politics of kindness.
It’s just to submit that the next incoming Party Leader deserves the support of an undivided caucus, if any meaningful fight was to be given to the government in the next elections.
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