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The National Party leader told Newshub on Monday that she gave her “absolutely everything she had and I think people understand that.”
Collins is also confident that he will remain as leader until the next election in 2023.
“I hope it is.”
But some of Collins’ colleagues have different expectations. National’s new, much smaller caucus meets for the first time on Tuesday and it will be brutal.
National MPs have told Newshub:
“We are going into a difficult caucus and it will be a very thorough and frank autopsy.”
Another says it is “very, very unlikely that [Judith Collins] guide us to 2023 “.
Collins says disgruntled caucus members should inform him.
“You better get up front and say who you are,” he said.
However, that’s unlikely, and some are saying who they think will get a shot at leadership, choosing former Air New Zealand chief Christopher Luxon, who had his first day on the job after winning Botany’s electorate.
Collins, when asked if he thinks Luxon will take the lead, said: “I don’t know you better ask him.”
Newshub asked Luxon and the messages were mixed.
“Absolutely,” he said, when asked if he could categorically rule out a leadership offer against Collins. “I would like to enter Parliament and find out what to do.”
But Luxon didn’t dismiss it entirely and didn’t shut down conversations about leadership ambitions when asked if he was ignoring rumors about his leadership ambitions.
“Well, I appreciate that people can have expectations,” he said.
So it’s not a personal ambition, other people want me to do it.
Collins is unfazed.
“You can’t be less worried than I am,” he said.
Luxon said Collins can “absolutely” trust him.
After the National massacre at the polls, the deputies search for scalps. There is fury from some targeting National Representatives Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop who helped orchestrate Todd Muller’s coup against Simon Bridges.
“Any blame game stuff is not going to be helpful,” Collins said.
But there will be a confronted forensic review of the party’s litany of failures, including the leadership and campaign leaks.
National’s Tim Macindoe, who lost his Hamilton West seat to Labor, said the MP who leaked to Newshub needs to “take a good look at himself and decide whether I’ll become a good team player or come out.”
National senior whip Barbara Kuriger said: “You know, people should say what they have to say in the room and keep it in the room.”
And after more leaks emerged Monday, Collins plans to deliver a warning to his group.
“No party can win until it stops seeing itself.”
Until then, leaders can’t help but look over their shoulders, either.
