Hooton on the next reshuffle

Matthew Hooton makes the case for an extensive Cabinet reshuffle and calls for the following MPs to be promoted to the ministry:

  • Todd Muller
  • Mark Mitchell
  • Alfred Ngaro
  • Parmjeet Parmar
  • Andrew Bayley
  • Chris Bishop
  • Barbara Kuriger
  • Sarah Dowie

I don't have any comment on which individual MPs should be promoted, and which should be told it's time up. My list would be different to Matthew's list if I published one.

But what I would say is that I think it is important the National continues its pattern of renewal of both the Cabinet/Ministry and Caucus. The chances of winning a 4th term are significantly harder if your government looks like the same figures as in 2008 and even 2011. This was a significant mistake Helen Clark made – she left renewal too late, and too little.

Key has to date been successful at ministry renewal. The following have left:

  1. Simon Power
  2. Tony Ryall
  3. David Carter
  4. Tim Groser
  5. Wayne Mapp
  6. Georgina te Heuheu
  7. Chester Borrows
  8. Phil Heatley
  9. Kate Wilkinson
  10. Chris Tremain
  11. John Carter

Most did not leave because they were performing badly. Far from it. But renewal means even good performers move on after a while to make space.

And in terms of new Ministers who were not there in 2008 we have:

  1. Amy Adams
  2. Simon Bridges
  3. Nathan Guy
  4. Nikki Kaye
  5. Michael Woodhouse
  6. Todd McClay
  7. Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
  8. Maggie Barry
  9. Craig Foss
  10. Jo Goodhew
  11. Nicky Wagner
  12. Louise Upston
  13. Paul Goldsmith

So there has been good renewal to date. But this is not a time to sit on one's laurels. The last time a Government got a fourth term was in 1969. Voters want to see renewal, not complacency.

Being a is not a job for one's parliamentary life. It is important that new talented MPs who entered in 2011 and even 2014 have opportunities to become Ministers. It's good for the Government and also good for re-election.

So I hope that any reshuffle in early 2017 is significant to maximise National's chance in the election later that year.

Comments (26)

Login to comment or vote

Add a Comment