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National leader Judith Collins has suggested that one of her MPs apologized for leaking the media during the election campaign and denies that there are fractures in her group.
Collins has been accused by at least two of her MPs of making policy on the ground, and a national MP said Stuff Collins had shared “zero” communications or polls with MPs for more than a month.
They said party spokesmen were concerned that unannounced announcements would be made.
“The strategy is what Judith comes up with at the time,” said the MP, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
RICKY WILSON
National leader Judith Collins announced an economic policy at Southern Spars in Avondale,
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Collins, in a policy announcement Tuesday, suggested that an MP had apologized for a leak that had reached the media regarding the party’s policy.
“I’m sure he apologized … The problem has now been fixed and I am well aware of the situation where some people get stressed during campaigns, and I personally don’t,” Collins said.
“We are all very focused on making sure that we win the party vote and the electorate votes are as even as possible.”
She would not be attracted to the identity of the MP.
Monday, Newshub reported that National’s Auckland affairs spokeswoman Denise Lee was frustrated with Collins promising an Auckland council review if elected.
The policy was announced on Monday, and Lee was not present at the announcement. In the email, it was reported that Lee said the policy was a “very problematic idea”, “another task force”, and that he was not consulted on the policy showed “a shockingly bad example of poor culture.”
Collins on Tuesday said Lee was “obviously wrong” and, after speaking with her on Monday, Lee was “now very focused on the party vote and her seat.”
RICKY WILSON
National leader Judith Collins announces an economic policy at the yacht mast builders, Southern Spars, in Auckland.
“I believe that people sometimes make mistakes, and I am not someone who criticizes them. I think that all the deputies are very careful to understand that each vote counts, and they are behind the vote of each party.”
When asked if Lee would retain his position as Auckland affairs spokesman, Collins said “this is an issue for me, I make those decisions.”
“I’m not making politics on the fly. Leaders make decisions, that’s part of leadership. During campaigns, you know, sometimes the leader has to go out and make that announcement. And that’s how it works,” Collin said. .
“I call it the leader’s call.”
Not all MPs seemed unhappy with Collins’ policy. At the press conference, National Economic Development spokesman Todd McClay said the party was not inventing a policy “on the fly” and that it had confidence in Collins.
National Congressman Michael Woodhouse said that no opposition party had done more to develop policies.
“In the heat of a campaign, the leader has to make decisions from time to time, and I fully support him,” he said.
Labor Party finance spokesman Grant Robertson said the leaked email showed National was in “chaos.”
Yesterda, and Judith Collins said the policy to review the Auckland Council has been in the works for several weeks. Based on this leaked email, that is not true, ”Robertson said in a statement.
“Judith Collins briefly covered the cracks at National, but this email shows that the disunity and chaos we have seen throughout the year still abound in the party.”
In recent weeks, Collins has announced policies during press conferences and debates, seemingly without prior indication to the broader National apparatus.
During a press conference in Wellington in September, he said that a government under his leadership would launch a Royal Commission on the White Island disaster, apparently to catch its staff off guard of the engagement.
RICKY WILSON
National Congressman Michael Woodhouse says it’s right for leaders to call for politics in the middle of an election campaign.
During a leaders’ debate last week, Collins said he would claim wage subsidy payments from big companies that had claimed the money but may not need it.
He then withdrew from the ad, stating that any government under his command would likely set an expectation that such companies would return the money, rather than do retrospective legislation.
In addition, during the debate, he announced that a National Government would launch an investigation into the drug purchasing agency Pharmac, something that is not mentioned in the party’s health policy.
