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Opposition leader Judith Collins has a simple message for New Zealanders who want a more diverse formation of the National Party.
“One of the smartest things people can do is vote for the National Party if they want a more diverse National,” he told The Country’s Jamie Mackay.
Collins explained that when people voted for Labor, the Greens or the Law, his party ended up with a “higher proportion of people having very strong national seats, rather than having a diverse momentum as well.”
“So if people want to have a more diverse National Party, how about voting for us?”
Collins said National’s alternate portfolios will be announced after the special votes have been counted, to find out if the party has won or lost more MPs.
He was also waiting for the Caucus to meet next Tuesday to “confirm or not” the roles of Leader, Deputy Leader and Whips.
“I have had meetings with all the national deputies and we have analyzed what their hopes are in terms of portfolios and where they can add value.”
Mackay asked if a more diverse National Party would include Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee, whom he described as “the man from yesterday.”
“That’s a Caucus business,” Collins said.
“The Caucus picks the Leader, the Deputy Leader and the Whips, so that’s where I’m going to drop it.”
Mackay asked if that meant his own leadership was in question.
“It’s always up for grabs in the National Party. Especially after an election. Every election, whether we win or lose it, that leadership is always put to the vote. That is part of having a democracy and being a democratic party.”
Meanwhile, Collins gave his opinion on the US electoral race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
“I have to say it feels like he’s on steroids somehow, doesn’t it? I found it infinitely more fun to watch than it felt to be ours. It’s a different way of doing things.”
“I think it’s always good to be a winner and a nice loser at night.”
