Key will serve full second term
July 29th, 2011 at 11:35 am by David FarrarMatthew Hooton has written in NBR (offline):
As a rumour, it’s surprisingly prevalent.
Just as he wanted to be a successful businessman, but not necessarily the world’s wealthiest, John Key wanted to be prime minister, but not necessarily the longest-serving.
After achieving the top job, he would serve a few years before going out on a high.
According to the theory, Mr Key would hand over to Steven Joyce sometime before the 2014 election.
This gets pushed a lot, mainly I suspect by Labour. There is a degree of truth to it. I don’t think John Key is obsessed with staying Prime Minister for as long as possible, and I think he could well retire before he loses an election.
However I’ve never thought he would not contest the 2014 election, and seek a third term (if he gets a second). Anyway Matthew asked Key the question about 2014:
When I asked Mr Key specifically this week if he intended to serve a full second term and lead National into the 2014 election, he barely bothered with the usual platitudes about “taking one election at a time” or “serving at the pleasure of the party and the public.”
His answer was not arrogant but it was unequivocal: yes, that was exactly his intention.
So that’s one little rumour we can put to bed.
Related posts:
- Will Helen commit to a fulll term?
- The term of Parliament
- Is it Labour is unpopular or National being popular?
- Winning a third term for National – Part III
July 29th, 2011 at 11:45 am
This will surely enrage the crap out of the paid Labour mouthpiece The Strawman. If Helen Clark had done this it would’ve been championed from their rooftops, but Key will be accused of being weak and falling on his own sword etc etc
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 11:49 am
So that’s one little rumour we can put to bed.
Have you ever known Labour to take the hint in the past?
They will keep beating the same old drum regardless.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Come on, Key’s smart enough not to say no or no comment to Hooton’s question. Imagine how Labour would leap on his lack of commitment if he’d said no (or similar)?
And you did just say, “I think he could well retire before he loses an election”
Rumour’s still alive then.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Good and bad. Stephan Joyce would make a great Prime Minister, maybe finance minister? Atleast John is popular and leaves no room for the Labour party to argue otherwise.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 11:58 am
I’ve always thought suggestions he would give up during his second term were bizarre. Why would he? He expects to win a second term so should serve it out, quite simple really.
This leaves options open from there – it doesn’t exlude the possibility of leading National into the next election and handing over to a successor early in the next term, although he’s young enough to stay on if he wants to and keeps getting elected.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
It would be unusual (unprecedented, perhaps?) for a NZ prime minister to leave that office voluntarily, so I think we can discount John Key standing down. People who get to be PM are usually pretty hungry for the job and enjoy the job immensely so are unlikely to leave early.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Cue The Standurrrred response:
“Why did Key feel he had to be so unequivocal? What is he hiding??”
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Steven Joyce would be Helen Clark with a beergut – don’t give me nightmares. Jami-Lee Ross, on the other hand, would be ideal to take over from Key.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I have always been impressed by Steven Joyce’s work ethic. He always strikes me as the one cabinet minister who knows that what he is doing now is truly going to be the better for the country in the future. You can really tell that he is there to make New Zealand a better country and New Zealanders better off.
I’d love to buy him a beer and say “Thanks”, but he looks like he has work to do. I admire him.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
“So that’s one little rumour we can put to bed.”
On the basis that, in an election year, the incumbent PM, leader of a right wing party said this to a right ring commentator and it was reported on a right wing blog?
In the immortal words of the Tui ad men. Yeah Right.
[DPF: You are such an idiot at time. The PM knew his answer was "on the record" and for the NBR.
But hey if you want to keep alive your wet dream of Key not standing in 2014, go for it]
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
Mikenmild, numerous NZ Prime Ministers have left office without an electoral defeat or an internal coup. Holland and Holyoake both went gracefully.
[DPF: Not at all. Holland fought letting Holyoake take over all the way, as did Holyoake with Marshall. They gave in ]a vote was necessary, but they were still pushed out. As far as I can tell no PM since WWII has left entirely on their terms (like Harold Wilson)
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
This is not the news that the myopic lefties will want to hear. And as sure as the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning, the usual suspects will emerge on KB to try and make something out of a straight forward answer by the PM to a question posed by the NBR.
There can be no doubt that Key is popular and that any belief that this popularity was based on an electoral honeymoon phase, is misplaced. Warts and all, Key has struck a responsive chord with the electorate and it would take the combination of a monumental blunder on his part plus the presence of a credible opposition in waiting, for any change to be likely.
I don’t think a change will occur for a while yet.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
“As far as I can tell no PM since WWII has left entirely on their terms (like Harold Wilson)”
How about David Lange? He seemed quite relieved to pass it on to Palmer, and then he stayed in Parliament for six more years.
[DPF: Not at all. Lange was forced out by his caucus who re-elected Douglas to Cabinet against Lange's will]
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Steven Joyce will NOT be our Prime Minister.
Why?
Because he is not capable? Not at all, he is very capable.
Because someone else is better? Not at all, he would be probably the best from the bunch.
Because he doesn’t want it? Don’t know, possibly does.
So why then michaels?
Because he is not allowed the job.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Yeah right; and Key won’t raise GST either.
Key is lying scum.
His claims about his intentions are worthless. He may well stand in 2014, but his comments to Hooton are not strong evidence that he actually will.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Oh dear. Get your hand slapped last night RJL?
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
You appear to be saying that Harold Wilson left entirely on his own terms.
Vote:The story in Britain seemd to be that by the time he did go he probably didn’t even realise that he was Prime Minister.
July 29th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Since when has the bare naked truth ever put a Labour-inspired rumour to bed? Talk about wishful thinking….
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
“His claims about his intentions are worthless. He may well stand in 2014, but his comments to Hooton are not strong evidence that he actually will.”
Ha ha ha…
Wishful thinking from the myopic left.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I think Key will serve a full three terms and will consider retiring sometime in the 4th.
Vote:July 29th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
I think he will serve three full terms as well, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him average 50% throughout either.
Vote:July 31st, 2011 at 1:48 pm
Key is popular with the voters but it seems he is not that popular with his colleagues. I guess there is only so much naked ambition other ambitious people can stomach. There is something vulgar about naked ambition ; the way it can’t be hidden and is so in your face.
Vote:July 31st, 2011 at 1:55 pm
“but it seems he is not that popular with his colleagues…”
Wishful thinking on your part Joanna. Wishful thinking….
Vote:July 31st, 2011 at 2:36 pm
I’m pickin Key will win this year but get bounced with possibly a snap election called that will see a Goffless Labour party coaltion in power by the end of 2012.
Doesn’t matter what mandate Key thinks he’s campaigning on. We the NZ public WON’T let state assets be sold. If thats the make or break of Key’s government then I guess he’ll be a broken man by the time he leaves public office.
Simple fact is, Key is a muppet to the new world order of bankers and corporate fascists. It might take a while for lil ol middle NZ to see it but eventually they will and turf his and his lying, cheating, good for nothing posse of inept clowns masquerading as ministers for the crown out on their ears also.
Vote:July 31st, 2011 at 10:03 pm
great post Black..keep on keeping on
Vote:Elaycee…So you don’t know the inside goss then. It is neither here nor there to me whether his colleages like him or not. As Winston says , in terms of politics he is a lightweight and as Black says he is a puppet/muppet for international string pullers.
He is also a sitting duck for a good old Wgtn honey pot.
August 25th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
When many serving prime ministers around the worls are sitting at 30% in the polls John Key is a shining light given his ratings; in this Left leaning society. I can think of no better PM currently Steven Joyce will hopefully raise to the occasion given time. Good on you John.
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