Clarkson stepping down
I’ve been busy in Auckland all day, so only now got online to blog the announcement by Bob Clarkson that he has decided not to stand for Tauranga again.
I think NZ owes Bob a great deal of thanks for getting Winston out of Tauranga. Labour should thank him also because Winston would have caused far more trouble if he still held his seat and knew no matter what he and NZ First was safe. Having lost Tauranga, he has to worry about making 5% or face oblivion, so this has lessened the chance he’ll try and bring the Government down.
Simon Bridges has announced he is putting himself as the new candidate. Simon is one of the local Crown prosecutors, and in his own words:
Mr Bridges has been a prominent criminal lawyer in Tauranga for the past several years, specialising in jury trials.
Mr Bridges was educated in Law and Arts at the University of Auckland before completing a Masters in Law at Oxford University. He has been a long term National Party member and has held positions at senior levels in the Party. He lives in Mount Maunganui and is married to Natalie.
Simon is around 30 and highly respected and liked within National. He would be a long-term MP for Tauranga, rather than someone wanting just one final term before he becomes Ambassador to somewhere.
This gives Winston a dilemma. He has not yet announced where he is standing yet. Just as he hasn’t yet paid back the $158,000. Or explained where the money Dail Jones referred to last year came from. Or filed his donations return which was due on 30 April. But Winston claims Bob used his wealth to defeat him last election. Never mind a Court disagreed.
How bad a look will it be, for Winston to stand against Simon Bridges and lose? There would be no way to sugar coat that one.
It will be an interesting seat to watch. Simon may face others wanting the National nomination – but I would be surprised if he is not the candidate. He has been seen as a future MP since the conference in the late 90s where he stood for Youth Vice-President and gave a speech which one senior Minister labelled the best speech he had ever heard at a conference. People still talk about that speech today.
May 9th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Bridges should roar in as National’s nominee, and I doubt that the people of Tauranga are likely to choose an old part Maori lawyer over a young part Maori lawyer.
May 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Bring back Bob.
May 9th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Bob Clarkson was never going to be a long term MP. Age and the propensity of Bob to say what he(and the rest of the population) really thought made his stay a one term effort. He did well removing Winston, now Winston either goes back toTauranga or he fights on the List.
Provincial New Zealand will I think treat new National candidates well this year. If Winston goes back I can see Winston being tagged as being “pseudo Labour”. Winston seems to have a paranoid hatred of National and the current leadership.
Winston is a light weight and always has been. Let’s put Winston away and the rest of the rag tag NZ First group.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Ah…around 30…another bright young thing with a plan for other people’s lives.
The party doesn’t matter….it’s a genre.
Musta crammed a couple of lifetimes into those 30 odd years, I bet.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
One more reason for abolishing the Maori seats
May 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
For a moment, I was thinking how nice it might have been if this thread had been titled “Clark Stepping Down”, but then I realized it wouldn’t be any fun; I want to see her get her ass whupped in November.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Very, very interesting.
First Key talks about dealing with Winston in a cabinet, then Clarkson steps down in Tauranga.
So post election the country is looking at Key led National + Winston.
Who here thinks National + Winston would be any different from the current lot?
May 9th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Sort of relevant:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4518110a6510.html?source=RSSnelsonmail/localnews_20080509
Come on DPF, it deserves a post of its own. This can’t be coincidence…
May 9th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
“Winston the eel”
That is very unkind to eels everywhere
May 9th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Willie, you have a very fertile imagination.
Let’s try your leap of faith another way.
First Rodney Hide says that ACT could support Labour in return for tax cuts, then ROger Douglas, an ex Labour MP is selected to stand for them
So post election, we now know for sure ACT is going to support Labour.
Of course, this sort of leap of logic is as equally nonsensical as yours.
Let’s look a little more coolly at what’s happening in Tauranga. Clarkson is retiring because a) he’s old, b) he’s not really a politician and c) admits that he was out of his depth.
But we do know that Clarkson loathes Peters and was delighted to get rid of him. So maybe it’s more likely that Clarkson was happy to go knowing that National would be well positioned to hold the seat. Since it appears that Simon Bridges, a crown prosecutor is the likely candidate and a darling of the party for some years, then it would suggest National are happy to see young, fresh blood coming through.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Neil says:
Actually some of us are able to speak with swallowing both feet, our ankles, and part of our calves. By DPF’s account Simon Bridges is an impressive candidate and would make an excellent MP. That he replaces someone whose role for National seemed to be that of Jester is an added bonus.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Neil says: Winston is a light weight and always has been.
You obviously didn’t follow politics during the Winebox Inquiry.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Simon Bridges comes with great credentials. Remains to be seen if he can foot AND STOMACH the corruption that is endemic in Parliament OR WHETHER HE WILL BUCK THE TREND?
May 9th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Indeed, Simon has quietly worked himself into a very strong position to be a National MP. My desperate hope is that Winston will lose Tuarana (as deserved) and not make 5%. My apologies to Ron Mark but I am sure he understands collateral damage.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Rex – you have a point but the fact he beat Winston raises Bob “both feet in mouth” Clarkson to a high standard.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
What disappoints me is that Bob Clarkson is a well known identity. A few thousand motorists each day go past the stadium he built. In contrast who would know the new candidate apart from the legal fraternity? Unfortunately Peters is only too well known. I don’t know of any monument to Peters in Tauranga except his big mouth. Unfortunately too many of the oldies still think he is marvellous. I have no doubt his speeches will again consist of telling the retired what they wan\t to hear.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
What disappoints me is that Bob Clarkson is a well known identity. A few thousand motorists each day go past the stadium he built. In contrast who would know the new candidate apart from the legal fraternity? Unfortunately Peters is only too well known. I don’t know of any monument to Peters in Tauranga except his big mouth. Unfortunately too many of the oldies still think he is marvellous. I have no doubt his speeches will again consist of telling the retired what they want to hear.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Bob – all that shows is what mugs the old fuckers are.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I think this indicates that National are looking to put Winnie to the sword. The ‘left’ had already compiled a hefty dossier on why they thought Clarkson was a loser. But this pisses on their fireworks big time. If Tauranga is a shoo-in for National post Winnie, it should go to an MP with some valuable shelf-life ahead of them. I also think that National are going to unveil some interesting new talent this election, in stark comparison to Labour, I might snidely add.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Whatever you might think of Peters his political skills are top drawer. If he can’t see off a 30-year-old first timer then I’ll eat my hat. There’s a difference between wishful thinking and reality.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I have to agree with Willie. John Clueless immediately responds with “Roger Douglas” won’t be part of my cabinet, but saying “Winston Peters? No problem.”
Unfortunately for Clarkson he announced before all this that he would stand. But John suddenly Cluefull wants Winston in the Cabinet, just making sure he has the numbers. So Clarkson has to stand down. And Winston will stand in Tauranga. Mark my words: National + NZ First formn the next cabinet.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
What an arrogant wanker. What a consummate tosser this man is. His outgoing shots at the government were about as hollow and bravado as his term in government.
His bullshit and vile suggestions that all he needed to fix the housing problem in NZ is five minutes. What all that time, why not just 1 minute, you are apparently a superman in disguise of an arrogant tosser.
Why if he thinks he can fix the problem of housing (leaky homes, shortages etc) in NZ in only five minutes is he leaving as he’s about to get his chance. According to you folk, National are on the verge of government, so there you go sunshine, you are going to get more than 5 minutes, you are going to get 3 years.
So why are you running away if all you needed was five minutes. Why are you hiding. Your vile and disgusting comments this evening on National radio portray a man who is overcome with the allure of his own self worth, yet with out the intestinal fortitude to carry through your hollow threats. You are nothing with those words, and thank god you time in this government has come to an end, piss off you arrogant hollow wanker. Deserting the people of NZ when all you needed was 5 minutes, hang your bloody head in shame.
Still we have Simon Power to “Stomp Out Crime” there’s one thing to look forward to, a crime free NZ.
New Zealand deserves better than all of this hot air and false promises.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
“Winston is a light weight and always has been”
Neil, shows how much you know about politics. Call a man who has been in govt on both sides of the block and about the place longer than most in National, the man who has all but charmed the pants off the US Secretary of State,
oh bugger what do I know, I guess that’s a light weight. Laughable analysis of one hell of a political career there sunshine.
May 10th, 2008 at 12:23 am
>People still talk about that speech today.
At first I though these people must have very sad and boring lives not to have anything more interesting to talk about.
But then a speech at a conference has managed to get millions of people to support Barack Obama.
May 10th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Karma is bullshit… All it does is reflect whether or not someone liked your comment, rather than the quality of the debate. I’m not sure if there would be a system of doing it, but people who give out negative points ought to have to also make a post giving a reason, explaining why the comment was a failure. I cannot see how my comment above was anything but accurate, and no responses have been made to rebut it – just a lot of ignorant people willing to press the minus button ‘cos they don’t like to admit that the Winebox Inquiry was one of the biggest political issues in the 90s with Winston at the forefront.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:14 am
“Call a man who has been in govt on both sides of the block …”
Yes this is true, he has shown himself to be a skillful politician, especially when it comes to getting what is best for WINSTON. All he has ever said is that he will “negotiate” with the party that has the most votes first. That is not to say he won’t go into coalition with the party that comes second.
If the Nats are going to pull back in Tauranga in the hopes of assuring themselves a coalition partner, they are playing a dangerous game. I cannot see how you could trust Winston to follow what the constituents say – he is after all “Bauble Man”, and he really does appear to dislike the Nats.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Can all the people who gave me negative Karma please explain how Neil’s comment: “Winston is a light weight and always has been“, stands in light of the Winebox Inquiry and the legal trials that he won in the 90s? Thanks.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Well, GPT, there’s a certain wisdom in the only proverb “when you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.”
Mark is a bit of a curate’s egg, but Brian Donnelly has shown himself to be an intelligent and thoughtful contributor (though one I disagree with more often than not) when Winnie isn’t looking. Shame.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:47 am
What legal trials? Not a single prosecution came out of the Winebox. A decent MP would have focused on the real issue – the extensive tax avoidance devices used by big corporates, but Peters just invented stuff about there being a conspiracy involing the Head of the SFO and IRD. He then failed to produce a shred of evidence to back it up. He defamed Selwyn Cushing and had to pay him out.
The only potential criminality exposed was the Magnum transaction and it was a seriously borderline call – even Judges disagreed about whether it was illegal, if I remember correctly.
Now the Winebox inquiry did expose some very dubious tax avoidance measures. And that was a good thing. But Peters massively over-reached with his claims.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:02 am
I agree with DPF, the winebox was a wasted exercise. All it did was provide light weight Winston the chance to throw mud at a large number of people.
Who wants Winston back. Current polls put NZF First at 1.5%. I didn’t think there were that many fugitives from reality left in NZ !
May 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Simon Bridges has announced he is putting himself as the new candidate. Simon is one of the local Crown prosecutors, and in his own words:
Mr Bridges has been a prominent criminal lawyer in Tauranga for the past several years, specialising in jury trials. Mr Bridges was educated…
So, Simon Bridges speaks in the third person then?
[DPF: Only when doing a press release, as everyone does]
May 10th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
As a Tauranga-ite we hope that “Bauble” will stand so that we can show him clearly what at least Tauranga thinks of him.
Bob has done what was required of him – a good and somewhat difficult campaign, due to the “Grey Power” vote at the time, and to get rid of the “bauble”. He succeeded.
Being a similar vintage we applaud the work he has done in Parliament particularly, and in his constituancy, in the Building Industry side and Leaking Homes. He has served his constituancy well. We appreciate his non nonsence “kiwi” style, which upsets the PC brigade who don’t like the truth in “simple” terms.
“Bauble” he has shown himself to be nothing but a big “MOUTH” who stands only for himself. It is a pity that some of his fellow MP’s are still supporting him, because there are some good people there, and they will fall at the next election as it is doubtful that they will get 5%.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Could I say congrats to Bob Clarkson for having the sense to realize that he is functioning ‘outside his comfort zone’ (his words) and deciding to step down. he goes out on his terms. Can’t say the same for Winston though. He will pay the price for propping up a tired old government and his own arrogance and will depart Parliament on our terms with his tail between his legs. A mavrick who, in the great scheme of things, will be remembered not for his contribution to good governance (there was none) but for his baubles.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Any truth to the rumour that Roger Payne is now the front-runner for the Tauranga nomination? I hear dad4justice is running his campaign :p
May 10th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I agree with Redbaiter….PAUL you and your Liabour mates are simply upset because BOB was a working man who made good whereas your lot are schoolteachers and union officials with no actual workers representing workers. BOB was the type of person I would like to see running the country.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Seems everyone is missing the likely Tauranga bolter – Larry Baldock of the Kiwi Party – has served Tauranga in a local body capacity, and is a well known local identity. If Baldock wins Tauranga – National will have a dedicated new “mate” in Parliament, as Baldock and the Kiwi Party have already publically pledged to back National, and reject Labour. Crown Prosecutor or not, Bridges does not have Baldocks depth of local profile.
Going to be an interesting race indeed.
Winnie? Toast and jam.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Baldock will get 4th, behind Bridges, Peters and Pankhurst. Actually, it will be interesting to see if he can even beat Act’s Ron Scott, himself an elected local body politician. That’s assuming Act contest the seat, rather than endorsing the Nat candidate like last time.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
What legal trials? Not a single prosecution came out of the Winebox. A decent MP would have focused on the real issue – the extensive tax avoidance devices used by big corporates, but Peters just invented stuff about there being a conspiracy involing the Head of the SFO and IRD. He then failed to produce a shred of evidence to back it up. He defamed Selwyn Cushing and had to pay him out.
Thank you for your opinion. I don’t know how much you followed it but cases I was referring to were the Peters v Davison trials, which Winston won.
Focusing on the real issue? And Neil, you call it a wasted exercise? Without Winston the Bolger government would have done absolutely nothing… In fact, they tried to get away with doing exactly that. I agree, the Winebox Inquiry Commission report was a wasted exercise… Which is why Winston and Ian Wishart (see The Paradise Conspiracy) relentlessly continued to pursue the issue, resulting in the biggest exposure of government department incompetency in NZ history. I am surprised you downplay the Magnum transaction, David, considering it was the central focus and crux of Winebox.
I am an extreme right ACT supporter but I am not blind to the fact that Winebox made a much greater difference to NZ’s tax laws than Rodney Hide ever did with his crusade against the IRD. I am not saying Hide didn’t save those people with all the media publicity, but looking at the wider picture nothing has changed in substance. What happened in the end? The IRD got a slap on the wrist but ultimately the department still operates under the exact same conditions. Without Winston Peters the tax law loopholes arising from the 80s reforms exploited by white collar criminals would still be there, and in the end it would still be the lower tier taxpayers who take the fall.