An attempted ACT coup
The Herald has a stunning story:
Act founder Sir Roger Douglas, with deputy leader and Consumer Affairs Minister Heather Roy, is understood to have led moves in the party against Mr Hide during the controversy over the international travel costs of his partner.
The Act board was told the caucus had issues over the leadership, and a special caucus meeting was called for November 22.
Some people in ACT must have a suicide wish. While Rodney did make an error of judgement with his trip (which he apologised for), ACT only survive in Parliament because he holds Epsom. If Rodney goes, then in all probability ACT will be booted out of Parliament at the next election.
Mr Key is understood to have learned about the moves against Mr Hide shortly before that – between his return from Apec in Singapore and his trip to Trinidad for the Commonwealth summit.
He told Mrs Roy that if Mr Hide were removed from the leadership, her own ministerial position would be in jeopardy.
It was naive to think a leadership change would have no impact. When National changed leaders in 1997, Winston approached Helen Clark and asked if she would be interested in forming a Government.
And it is believed that at the height of controversies in the two support parties – the Act leadership and the Maori Party’s turmoil over MP Hone Harawira – Mr Key briefly considered a snap election to gain National an outright majority.
Hell, that will send the 2010 election stock on iPredict upwards!
December 19th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Rodney Hide needs to get his act together (forgive the pun) He’s eeringly quiet on too many issues these days. Men can go off the rails a bit when they fall in love (look at what turmoil ensued after Lange fell in love with his commie speechwriter), but he needs to get back to being the champion for productive and law-abiding citizens he once was. Forget all of this dancing, swimming narcissistic side-show stuff.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I think Rodney is suffering from PDSD, he has been as quite as a church mouse lately. Yes he screwed up but you get that on the big jobs. Meanwhile the socialist drongos from the Nats are in Carbonhargen trying to save the world and no one has the balls to tell them they are fucked in the head. Come on Rodney life must go on, start making some noise. The people need someone to tell the would be Emperors they are butt naked and brain dead.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:12 am
How galling it must be for Mr Hyde, a few months ago deriding John Key at an ACT Party fundraiser, as “done nothing”, to have the same John Key skupper the ACT caucus revolt against him.
My sources have it that the story was leaked by the Douglas camp who orchestrated the attempted coup and were angling for a Roy-Douglas leadership team and Douglas demanding a Cabinet spot.
And if the so called palace revolt had as it’s catalyst Hyde’s use of public funds to take his partner overseas then it is a bit rich for Sir Woger to use that when, after he was sprung for his private trip to London, uttered the now classic response “I’m entitled to it” …. straight out of the socialist training manual.
I agree with DPF. A change it the ACT Party leadership would see them loose Epsom so why change. Rodney is smart enough to learn from his mistakes.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Ross
If ACT were to give Rodney the boot (as they should) and stand Dr Brash as their candidate in the seat of Epsom they would win with ease.
Hide must go, it is a simple as that.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Bring it on.
Perception is reality and too many people think that Rodney is a clown. This may be unfair, but it’s too late now. I also think Heather would be a good leader of ACT.
Rodney made a mistake to sell his silence in exchange for super-city job. There are too many issues where ACT could be the honest broker and explain to the public why the government is on the wrong track. Except we mostly hear silence. This is bad for NZ but also bad for ACT at the next election because people are not hearing them speak common sense.
I don’t accept that ACT would be decimated if Rodney was rolled. I detect that a fair proportion of natural ACT voters gave National the tick because they didn’t want to to have their voted ‘wasted’ if Rodney didn’t get Epsom. I disagree with that logic and if Epsom was out of the question then it might force them to think it through and conclude that the right thing to do is give ACT their party vote.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Malcolm
The fact that Roy chickened out when threatened with the removal of her ministerial warrant by Neville Key shows that she is as bad as Hide when it comes to be blinded by the baubles.
She can piss off as well.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Ironic one of the greatest troughers of all time should lead the charge, Douglas and the bimbo are on the list and are there as seat fillers.
To follow is a list of the worn out old grave dodger and the Minister of Shoppings achievements since they rode into town on Rodneys coat tails-
1. Zip
2. Nada
3. Nothing
The End
December 19th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Perhaps Rodney appreciates that you can over do the screaming and best is to hold back until the year of the election. I just got a leaflet explaining ACT’s position on the climate bill which is possibily the better way to put ACTs case for the time being. I left ACT when Prebble/Hide pushed Sir Roger and others out but I wouldn’t support a palace coup to reverse the process … that is silly for the reasons others have stated above. I think the country needs for ACT to have a voice in Parliament, and even better in government.
December 19th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
BB, yeah maybe.
But for coups we only hear what they want us to hear. It’s all cloak and dagger and they need to leave a back door open to beat a hasty retreat if things go wrong. It might suit John Keyless to have that part of the story emphasised and for the moment Heather and Roger are keeping their heads down and their powder dry.
I think Rodney is too damaged. He’s silenced himself with the super-city thing and his expense/piss-taking transgressions will be used against him at the next election. I can see the election posters now. We’ve hardly heard anything from ACT about the 2025 report, the investment report or the up-coming tax review. They should be all over this like flies on sh..oddy ideas. Heather is a clean-face and frankly a women couldn’t hurt as I’m guessing more women would take a look at the party if she was leader. Irrational but true, me thinks.
December 19th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Some important things to remember:
1. Nobody in ACT likes Rodney Hide, and especially not his caucus. He got the leadership because Prebs couldn’t keep it in his pants, and the Juddites were clumsy and made too many enemies trying to kneecap him. So any opportunity to get rid of him will be taken;
2. Rodney is not indispensible in Epsom. John Boscawen would be an equally strong contender for the seat, if not more so;
3. ACT is going nowhere being tied to this government. It would be better off in opposition. And I don’t think a snap election would necessarily spell the end of them either. With the government firmly opposed to doing anything, they could do well – and they always punch above their polling weight on election day;
4. As I keep telling ACT people ad nauseum: Nobody cares what you are up to at 2% in the polls, so you have nothing to lose.
Personally I hope ACT get turfed out in 2011 so we can get those people back in National and Labour where they might contribute something useful.
December 19th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Big Bruv, it’s only taken you what, six years, to finally get one correct.
Hide has been a handicap to ACT since his ascension to the leadership.
I disagree however with your Brash statement.
Yesterday’s man who was never electable.
ACT needs someone young(ish) and strong.
Malcolm, not sure a woman, unless definitely the best man for the job, would make a difference, particularly after the last government.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
malcom
You make some interesting points, and I agree with you re Rodney and Auckland, when all is said and done he (Rodney) will always be able to point to the new super city and say “I did that”.
However, he (and ACT) must have been aware of the way the pinko media would go after them, Espiner, Mold and the rest are not interested in what he has to say they are hell bent on destroying the ACT party.
When you are in politics and not on the left you should bloody well appreciate that the pinkos media do not play fair, they will always excuse left wing pollies with stuff that they would never let a right winger away with, these are the rule and anybody who pisses and moans about them is a fool.
As a consequence we on the right need to be whiter than white, Rodney’s troughing is a noose around the neck of the party that they just do not need.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
MT_Tinman, I agree the leader has to be the best ‘man’ for the job. I still think Heather would be a good leader and on balance a young female would be an advantage for ACT. For all the wrong reasons of course, but voters are not entirely rational. It’s very easy for people to accept the idea that ACT is an extreme party and not even look at the policies. A female leader would make it harder to characterise ACT in that way. People might take a second look.
I often talk to people who espouse ideas which are broadly in line with ACT, yet if you ask them “Would you/did you vote for ACT?” they look shocked, like you’ve suggested they should vote for the Nazis.
BB, most of ACTs problem under Rodney are of their own making. Sure the media will go after ACT, but there are multiple ways to communicate with the public, yet ACT do very little. Just look at their website and blog. Nothing much there. Metiria Turei is always on the radio and telly mangling logic and language. Same with Pita and Tariana. Where are the ACT MPs? You never see them. The Greens and Maori Party out do them every time and I don’t think this is all media bias. I can’t help thinking ACT MPs are a bit lazy and/or they’ve been told by Rodney/John to keep quiet in exchange for the super-city role. That was a very poor deal IMHO.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Here are the 5 most recent posts on the ACT blog:
– Extended Warranties: With Christmas fast approaching New Zealanders should be aware of their rights….
– RNZAF Boeing Brings Antarctica A Little Closer: The world’s largest continent is now that much closer now….
– Transmission Gully A Victory For Wellington: It appears we finally have a Government that will not ignore the inadequacies…
– In The House: Legislation this week…
– The Stars Come Out In Wellington: Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lovely Bones’ is set to premiere in Wellington tonight…
December 19th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
The author of the story is?? Ah, Audrey Young. Reliability about 0. I don’t know why you took this at face value DPF.
And Tinman: Don Brash only got 48% of the vote. Labour won because the introduced their free student loan election bribe.
December 19th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Agree with Berend.
Audrey should have done her homework better.
ACT’s leader and deputy leader are appointed by the board, not the caucus.
December 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Then all National has to do is win 50% of the vote under an MMP election. Never been done before but I’m sure all John Key has to do is flash a smile and everything will be fine.
A possilbe alternative is Phil Goff as Prime Minister in short order. Would Phil Goff’s Government be a “do nothing” Government?
December 19th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Too many Progressives in ACT. Blurs their message and their brand, but more importantly, makes them somewhat impotent in the fight against the left.
December 19th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
“Too many Progressives in ACT.”
True RB, and as you’ve alluded to yourself on more than occasion, there are too many dipshit members of the so-called “liberal right” within ACT who appear to think that some of the greatest barriers to liberty and prosperity centre around the fact that queers can’t get married or party pills aren’t available over the counter.
December 19th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
big bruv notes:
Yeah, I re-read that three times, all the while thinking “Did he?! Did she?!”. What right does Key think he has to threaten a Minister with withdrawal of their warrant (assuming they are in other respects doing an adequate job) because the leadership of his or her party might change in a way that puts his nose out of joint?! That’s a move I’d only have ever expected from Winston.
And what sort of craven bauble-grabber tugs their forelock to such a demand if they truly believe their desire to change their party’s leader is best for the party?
Can the integrity of the people we elect go any lower?!
December 19th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
The only reason ACT gets any votes at all is because of the vision of Roger Douglas, the energy of Rodney Hide and, more recently, the doggedness of John Boscawen.
If they want a new leader and don’t want the party to collapse, they should look to the founder or to John.
(Or woo back Muriel Newman or Stephen Franks.)
December 19th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Oh dear, saved by a socialist, tsk,tsk.
Tell me, why do so many of you support troughing MPs if you are on the right ? does one not have to be persil to be a right wing MP, or are Douglas and Hide entitled ?
December 19th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
It’s an imperfect world and must pick from an imperfect bunch of politicians. Who do you vote for?
December 20th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Stephen Franks/Heather Roy
December 20th, 2009 at 6:35 am
“Can the integrity of the people we elect go any lower?”
Yes, it can.
Wait for Neville Key to sell NZ down the river during the rest of his term. With the possibility of ACT disappearing from the political scene, his only way to keeping National in power is by even more bending over to the racist Maori Party, a job he does very well.
December 20th, 2009 at 9:46 am
But the focus of this discussion is all wrong. The leader should be secondary. As others have noted the Greens continue to appeal to people who identify with their ideas despite having quite weak leadership. It is true that the populace do not really know what ACT stands for because ACT itself doesn’t. One result of that is too much time and energy wasted on internal politics.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
“One result of that is too much time and energy wasted on internal politics.”
Yeah, well that would be solved by dumping the damn Progressives who hold far to much sway there. Angus got it dead right in his post at 5:57pm yesterday.
December 20th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Oh how the allure of Ministerial Office conquers all! hahaha!
Non brain damaged ACT members wanted to rid themselves of the meddlesome priest; John Key pulls rank; do they say “okay John, keep your sticky beak out of it or the Government is over”?
No, of course not – that would require both balls and principles.
Instead they whimper apologies for stepping out of line and slink back into their caves so that Sir Roger can vote for another $12 billion deficit and massive tax increases next year, too
In the words of Margaret Thatcher “how pathetic the party you support and how pathetic you are”
http://www.nightcitytrader.blogspot.com
December 20th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I don’t think Rodney can do much. In Parliament he lambasted National for passing the ETS bill but none of that was reported. Act is in a bad place because the news will rip the party and Hide another you know what if they even sneeze. He is getting a bad image because the media is after him. Anything he stands up for won’t be printed because the largest union doesn’t particularly like him. That is how it is. He spent 25000.00 of taxpayers money for taking his girlfriend on a trip with him and it is all over the news like Tony Veitch. (sp) John Key and National just bought the Maori Party with taxpayer’s 2 billion dollars and very little was said.
December 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am
jackup 5.44pm suggests the stupidity of media and other commentators in hating ACT so much becuase it is the ‘far right’ … such an ironical joke. The Left keeps on splitting off fractions, Alliance/Greens/Anderton in my memory and ACTs founding members were mostly Labour members sick of the way that establishment Lab/Nat were going wrong, though not as wrong as when Sir Roger saved us from Muldoonism. The media frency sadly obscured this and the extreme right gathered around ACT with the result that the moderates left. Association of consumers and taxpapers remember? It should have been an enveloping mass movement instead of just a 2% party but for the foolish media and those who believe what they read and hear from that source.