As John Key chose to depart from the scene abruptly it necessitates the most important question that the nation faces today – is it a thoughtful strategy at all?
Undoubtedly, it will be blasphemous to suggest that the Mt Roskill by-election results have anything to do in precipitating such an outcome.
Yet the timing of this sudden announcement leaves much for the general assumption.
It will be appropriate to look further if this was a thoughtful strategy or an emotional outburst.
The Prime Minister’s speech is suggesting that he intends to give enough time to the new leader before next general election in 2017.
If this was the cherished goal of this announcement then the important question that comes to mind immediately is the timing of this announcement.
If the intention of the announcement was to pass on the baton peacefully and successfully to the next generation of leadership then timing is questionable.
It could have arrived at a more serene time, possibly after Christmas or in the New Year to give a positive spin to the news.
This leaves much for imagination that what prompted this sudden announcement.
However, the much-awaited media stand up by the Deputy Prime Minister Bill English later in the day will throw better light on this question if it was a thoughtful strategy.
If the National Party comes up with a new name altogether other than Bill English and Steven Joyce then it might be a confirmation of this announcement being a thoughtful strategy.
In such a scenario, the most likely announcement could be of either Paula Benet or Judith Collins to lead the Party to 2017 elections.
If the Party comes up with Bill English and Steven Joyce as their nominated leader then it will be a clear indication that the announcement was less a thoughtful strategy and more an emotional outburst.