National MPs will meet with party leader Judith Collins next week for a series of ‘honest’ talks

National leader Judith Collins will meet with her MPs over the next week for an “honest” discussion in which they can privately voice any concerns.

It will also be an opportunity for parliamentarians to jump into the parallel portfolios they want.

Speaking to Newstalk ZB this morning, Collins addressed a variety of issues, including the party’s performance in the elections, his MP Gerry Brownlee and his own leadership.

After Todd Muller resigned from leadership in July, Collins said she and Brownlee received “the hospital pass from hell.”

She had previously talked about how she reluctantly became the leader of National, after being questioned by the caucus.

“They threw it at us [the leadership] and we ran with him as far and as fast as we could. “

When asked if it was a mistake to have Brownlee as his deputy, Collins said “that’s one of the things we’ll look at in the review.”

But she said that would not be her opinion and gave her support.

“Gerry has been a stalwart of the National Party and has been a great support for me. He has done a tremendous job.”

On his own leadership, he said he hopes to lead National in 2023.

“But I also think that whoever is the right person for the job, [that is] the person I would support. “

He said he would like to be a leader in 2023, “but if it is obvious that there is a better person who could bring good center-right economic policy to help New Zealand, then obviously I would always side with whoever is the best person to the job”.

“From my point of view, I hope it’s me, but it might not be. It’s not up to me.”

At the moment, he said “there is no one else who can do better right now.”

He said the party needs a period of “absolute stability.”

Looking ahead, he said that next week will be an opportunity to start shaping his caucus.

“I’m giving every congressman who wants the opportunity to comment on their portfolios, to meet with me in private so they can have an honest discussion and feel like they can say what they want.”

She said MPs would also have a caucus where more can be discussed.