The PM getting some mongrel
I’ve been impressed with what I would call the PM getting some mongrel in the last few weeks, as his leadership came under attack. Let’s look at what he did.
- Someone (not necessarily the PM) arranged for the names of suspected dissident MPs to be given to Hosking.
- Called a vote of confidence in his own leadership, forcing people to put up or shut up
- At the press conference refused to take questions from media, correctly judging that the result would speak for itself
- Hit back at Peters (along with Willis) when Peters decided he would become a political commentator on the National leadership, reminding people he put Ardern and the Greens into power.
- Got a complaint filed against TVNZ banging on the office door of National MP Stuart Smith, demanding he come out
- Pulled out of Breakfast TV as it became apparent the interviews were more about gotcha moments (can you name your Maori Ministers) than discussing issues that matter to NZers
I think it is good the PM is showing some teeth.
Something I have picked up anecdotally is that there has been a bit of a sympathy backlash in the PMs favour, as people think that breathless coverage updated hourly over bad poll results is just ridiculous. Several people I know who are not particularly political have said that they think it was just too much, and they felt sorry for Luxon.