08 Local News
More 'big names' expected to run for National alongside
Christopher Luxon
E
x-Air New Zealand
boss Christopher
Luxon will not be
the only high-
profile person running for
National at the 2020 general
election, Simon Bridges
says.
The National Party
leader said in a few months'
time, other "impressive
people" will be putting their
names forward alongside
Luxon to run for the party.
"We're a party of talent,
and talented people want
to be part of us, and know
that we can form the next
government," Bridges
told Magic Talk Monday
morning.
But Bridges did not give
away any clues about who
those high-profile people
might be. He told Magic
Talk he was aware that
Luxon was planning to run
for the Botany electorate in
Auckland before announcing
it publicly on Thursday last
week.
"I can't talk about
the selection for obvious
reasons... It'll be a
competition, and no one
wants the leader of the
National Party screwing the
scrum if you like," Bridges
said.
The Auckland Times | Issue 185| October 15, 2019
"But what I would say
is we are blessed with great
talent. If you look at Labour
doing their selections,
they are not going to have
any of that." Bridges said
whether you're for or against
National, the party will
have the "best people from
business and other sectors",
and promised "you will be
surprised by other big names
we get next year".
He said National will
decide who will run for
Botany before Christmas.
Luxon will be up
against Independent MP for
Botany Jami-Lees Ross,
who resigned from the "Because Botany has a things." able to form a government led Government through
National Party last year after large membership, what that He said there is a sense with David Seymour's confidence and supply.
a massive public falling out means is that the members that the Government is "not ACT as its only ally - but "You've got ACT up; you
with Bridges. "The National themselves choose the up to much - it's not doing that doesn't seem to worry
Party [selection] process delegate and have a process anything and it's certainly look at what's happened over
Bridges. "I'm not going to
is incredibly rigorous and whereby the delegates come not delivering like it said it talk, talk, talk and give away the weekend with the Māori
sometimes actually harder through." would". tactics and strategies today, Party starting to stand a
than the voting day," Bridges The latest Newshub-Reid "I think, with the but watch this space," he candidate," Bridges said.
said. Research Poll shows the greatest of respect to the said. "I think we'll make it, The Māori Party announced
"It wouldn't surprise me if National Party's support Prime Minister and the I think we'll have friends."
over the weekend that
you have anywhere from growing. It's now on 43.9 Government, I was right He pointed to the 0.6 percent
half a dozen to a dozen percent, up 6.5 percent, when I said this Government increase for ACT, now on Taranaki iwi leader Debbie
names that come forward.... ahead of Labour on 41.6 is a part-time one. "Whether 1.4 percent, the first time it Ngarewa-Packer will stand
Christopher [Luxon]'s a percent, down 9.2 percent. it's housing, transport or has polled over 1 percent in in the electorate of Te
public one we've seen, but "I suppose it shows what economy, health, education, Newshub's poll since 2014. Tai Hauāuru for the 2020
I'm absolutely sure there'll we've been seeing anyway... you name it - it's just not The Māori Party also
general election.
be a contest." Bridges said This isn't something that doing what needs to be got a slight increase of 0.7
the candidate will be chosen happens overnight," Bridges done." percent, up 0.1 percent. The party failed to win any
by a group of National said. "It is a big drop for Sunday's poll results The Māori Party supported seats in the 2017 election
Party members in Botany. Labour and it reflects many show National would not be the previous National- and left Parliament.