National Party electoral defeat: Todd Muller on whether to take responsibility for the result

Former National Party leader Todd Muller admits that his leadership coup is among the “kaleidoscope of issues” that led to his party’s disastrous election result.

Muller returned to Parliament last week for the first time since resigning as leader in July after 53 days in office.

Before National’s caucus meeting this morning, he was asked if he was taking any responsibility for the outcome of the election, which caused the party to lose 21 deputies with just 26.8 percent of the preliminary vote.

“I am sure that my name appears in the kaleidoscope of problems and challenges that the National Party has had during the last year,” Muller said.

“But like everyone else has said, and I agree with them, there is a time to reflect and then there is a time to get off the mat and rebuild.”

Muller and former national MP Nikki Kaye removed Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett from the party’s leadership in a coup in May after polls showed support had plummeted after the shutdown.

But Muller retired after 53 days on the job because the role had a negative impact on her health and Judith Collins was named leader.

Numerous parliamentarians and commentators have included the rapid succession of leaders among the reasons for the election result.

Muller said he would do things differently if given the chance, but now was the time to reflect.

He also had “very strong support” for Collins and deputy leader Gerry Brownlee.

After resigning as leader, Muller did not return to Parliament and returned for the first time last week after the elections.

Muller’s message to National and his followers was that they were only there “because of their efforts.”

“And the relevance we have today in New Zealand. We need to win back every vote day by day, week by week and we must do our best to achieve it.”