Penk goes

Chris Penk has been removed as a Minister, and is retiring from politics after the confidence vote in Christopher Luxon.

I have mixed feelings on this, which Ani O’Brien covers well. I think it was politically necessary and even essential that the Prime Minister send a clear signal to caucus that there must be no further ill discipline. It is ridiculous to have had to go through two confidence votes in election year. My long standing policy (which I have advocated to the party) is that in fact you should change the rules so leadership votes can not occur in election years.

But I am sad as Chris Penk is a very nice guy, who was an extremely able Minister.