Episode description
In today's Focus on Politics podcast, Political Editor Jane Patterson talks to National's leader Chris Luxon in his new office to assess what his leadership will look like.
"It's easy to say the words 'unify, unify, unify' ... but, you know, that's an intellectual rational thing - you've got to make it emotional and actually get people to reset and leave some of the baggage behind," - Chris Luxon
It was only just over a week ago Chris Luxon took the National Party leadership after only 409 days as an MP, following Judith Collins losing a caucus vote of no confidence.
The former head of Air New Zealand negotiated a managed handover, seeing off rival Simon Bridges, and now faces the challenge of putting together a caucus lineup that refocuses MPs' attention from themselves to the Labour government while not inflaming old resentments.
Political editor Jane Patterson sat down with Luxon to talk about his views, ideas and plans for his caucus, Covid-19, Māori and the Treaty of Waitangi.
It's his first interview in the third floor parliamentary office that has seen a revolving door of opposition leaders. He is operating on just a few hours sleep, figuring out what to do with the space and his 33-strong caucus - among them, the three former leaders Simon Bridges, Todd Muller, and of course Collins.
Listen to the full interview
https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6284924813001
Luxon made it clear in his first statements each would have roles in his caucus - in part no doubt as a display of the newfound unity the party will need to show to regain lost ground - and he remains firm on that.
"I want roles for Simon, Todd and Judith. You know, I want them all in the team because we've actually turned the page, we've said 'righto we've got 100 percent trust with each other, we go forward from this basis', and we want to use their skills and talents bigtime."
Bridges has already been given the finance portfolio and the number three ranking, providing Luxon a number of benefits: keeping a very recent rival close, making use of Bridges' political skills and experience, bringing more diversity to the front bench with a Māori MP, and sending a message to the caucus he can be magnanimous.
Muller, left out in the wilderness under Collins, will be brought back into the fold. Collins brought her own leadership to an end in spectacular fashion but her proven tenacity will be an asset to this very new opposition leader so long as she can remain contrite and loyal.
Read more:
Who is the new National Party leader Christopher Luxon?
Can Christopher Luxon survive long enough for his party to unite?…