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May 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election

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May 2020 New Zealand National Party leadership election
← 2018 22 May 2020 July 2020 →
 
Candidate Todd Muller Simon Bridges
Popular vote ≥28 <28
Leader before election

Simon Bridges

 Leader after election

Todd Muller

May 2020 New Zealand National Party deputy leadership election
← 2018 22 May 2020 July 2020 →
 
Candidate Nikki Kaye Paula Bennett
Popular vote ≥28 <28
Deputy Leader before election

Paula Bennett

 Deputy Leader after election

Nikki Kaye

An election for the parliamentary leadership of the New Zealand National Party took place in the National Party parliamentary caucus on 22 May 2020.[1] Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye stood against the existing leader Simon Bridges and his deputy leader Paula Bennett following poor polling results.[2] Muller and Kaye won the votes and became the new leader and deputy leader respectively.[1]

Background

After the National Party lost the 2017 election, its leader Bill English resigned and Simon Bridges won the leadership election in February 2018. Bridges had promised a "generational refresh"[3] of a National Party in Opposition for the first time in almost a decade. Under Bridges' leadership, National continued to poll between 40% and 45% and on some polls was projected to be able to form a government with the support of ACT New Zealand. However, Bridges' personal popularity remained well below that of Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern. Despite this, he saw off an apparent challenge for the leadership made by Judith Collins in April 2019, although a leadership election was never called.[4][5][6]

Bridges' judgement was questioned throughout his leadership. Among other incidents, he received criticism for describing National MP Jami-Lee Ross as having "embarrassing" personal health problems ahead of Ross quitting to become an independent MP[7] and for describing a National Party staffer as "junior" and "emotional" when he deleted, in the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings, an anti-migration petition that was hosted on the Party's website.[8][9] In April 2020, during New Zealand's COVID-19 pandemic, Bridges published a long Facebook post criticising the Government's response to COVID-19. The post attracted more than 25,000 comments, most of them negative.[4][10][11] Opinion polling would show that most New Zealanders supported the Government's decision to implement a nationwide stay-at-home order and the Government's economic response.[12][13] Bridges also received some criticism for choosing to drive weekly between his home in Tauranga and Parliament to chair the Epidemic Response Committee, which was meeting virtually over Zoom.[14]

On 18 May 2020, four months before the next general election, a poll was released in which 56.5% of those surveyed would vote for Labour, compared with 30.6% for National. The same poll reported that 59.5% of those surveyed preferred Labour's leader Jacinda Ardern for prime minister, whereas Simon Bridges was preferred by only 4.5%.[15] This was the first public poll since the COVID-19 pandemic reached New Zealand, and Labour had seen widespread support for its actions in the pandemic including from National supporters.[13]

By 19 May, media were reporting on a challenge to Bridges' leadership, citing comments from anonymous National MPs. Also on 19 May, Muller said he had no leadership ambitions and wasn't interested in the job.[16] But on 20 May Muller confirmed in an email to National MPs that he would challenge for the National Party leadership.[17] Later that day the party announced that the vote would be held on 22 May.[18]

Former National Party president Michelle Boag said that the poll was not the only reason for the leadership challenge, describing it as the "catalyst" but saying that there had been "months and months, and sometimes years, of [National] MPs having negative feedback about their leader, not only from party members but from constituents."[19] Some National MPs told reporters that a leadership challenge by Muller had been "brewing for a while."[20]

Muller arrived in Wellington on 21 May in order to talk with National MPs one-on-one. When asked whether Nikki Kaye was his running mate for the deputy position, he refused to comment, saying "all conversations about leadership should stay within caucus".[21] Kaye also refused to confirm she was Muller's running mate.[22] That night, another poll was released which had Labour at 59% and National at 29%. In this poll, which was conducted from 16 to 20 May, Bridges received 5% support as preferred prime minister, while Muller received 0.2%.[23][24]

National MPs arrived at Parliament on the morning of 22 May for an emergency caucus meeting to be held at midday, many having flown into Wellington that morning. Very few would indicate which way they intended to vote,[1] and the vote was a secret ballot.[25]

Candidates

Declared candidates

Name Positions Endorsements

Simon Bridges
Endorsements
Reported caucus support
Publicly-announced caucus support

Todd Muller
  • MP for Bay of Plenty since 2014
  • Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Food Safety, Forestry since 2019
Endorsements
Reported caucus support
Publicly-announced caucus support

Declined

The following individuals were speculated as being possible leadership candidates, but ruled out a bid:

  • Judith Collins, MP for Papakura since 2002.[39] Collins declined to say who she would support ahead of the vote,[32] but a month later confirmed that she had voted for Muller.[38]
  • Mark Mitchell, MP for Rodney since 2011. Mitchell pledged support to Bridges on 20 May.[40] Despite media speculation,[41] Mitchell confirmed on the day of the vote that he would not run in the election.[1]

Results

Todd Muller won the vote for the party leadership, and Nikki Kaye won the vote for the deputy position in a secret ballot.[42][1][43][44] On 24 May, the Herald on Sunday reported that Muller may have won the leadership by a single vote.[35] By contrast, Stuff reported that while Bridges' supporters were claiming such a margin, the margin was likely to have been wider.[45]

Aftermath

On 25 May, three days after the election, Muller announced a National caucus reshuffle, though there were only a few changes. Amy Adams, who had planned to retire at the 2020 election, instead changed her mind and was awarded the newly created "Covid-19 Recovery" portfolio. It was reported that Simon Bridges was offered the Justice portfolio; reportedly he turned it down and asked for the Foreign Affairs portfolio, but was refused it. Bridges was not given any caucus ranking but Muller said that there would be a place for Bridges in his senior leadership team should he decide to stay in politics.[46]

Bridges announced he was staying in the party and would run again for the Tauranga electorate he currently represents.[47]

Paula Bennett announced on 29 June her intention to retire from politics at the 2020 general election.[48] Her announcement prompted a second caucus reshuffle;[49] in this reshuffle Bridges was given the Foreign Affairs portfolio he wanted and a caucus ranking of 17.[50]

Muller held the position of National party leader for less than two months. On 14 July 2020, he resigned as National party leader, saying: "the role has taken a heavy toll on me personally, and on my family, and this has become untenable from a health perspective."[51] This triggered the second leadership election in 2020.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Live: The contest for the National party leadership". Stuff. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Simon Bridges faces challenge to his leadership from MPs Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye". Stuff.co.nz. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  3. ^ "National leader vote: Bridges touts 'generational change'". RNZ. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b Coughlan, Thomas; Cooke, Henry (24 May 2020). "Simon Bridges, the scrapper who couldn't stop scrapping". Stuff. Retrieved 2 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ "Judith Collins refuses to say she's loyal to National leader Simon Bridges". Newshub. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. ^ "National MPs speaking out against leader Simon Bridges". Newshub. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. ^ Bateman, Sophie (4 October 2018). "Simon Bridges expresses regret over 'embarrassing' remark about Jami-Lee Ross". Newshub. Retrieved 2 June 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Harman, Richard. "Adams' return signals what really lay behind Muller's campaign | Politik". Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  9. ^ Cooke, Henry (3 April 2019). "'Emotional junior staffer' in dispute with National Party following UN petition deletion". Stuff. Retrieved 2 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Coronavirus: Simon Bridges receives huge backlash to Facebook post criticising lockdown extension". Stuff. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  11. ^ Graham-McLay, Charlotte (20 May 2020). "New Zealand opposition leader Simon Bridges faces leadership challenge". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  12. ^ Cooke, Henry; Malpass, Luke (25 March 2020). "Coronavirus: Poll shows Kiwis back harsh measures but are extremely worried about virus". Stuff. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  13. ^ a b Trevett, Claire (18 May 2020). "New poll: Labour and Jacinda Ardern surge in popularity, National and Simon Bridges plummet". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 20 May 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ "Bridges defends Wellington to Tauranga commute". RNZ. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Jacinda Ardern, Labour soar in new poll". RNZ. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  16. ^ ZB, Newstalk. "Todd Muller denies leadership ambitions despite endorsement by ex-PM". ZB. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  17. ^ a b Walls, Jason; Trevett, Claire (20 May 2020). "National leadership coup: Todd Muller confirms he'll challenge Simon Bridges on Friday". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020.
  18. ^ "National confirms leadership vote to be held on Friday". Radio NZ. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  19. ^ "Simon Bridges' tactics likely to lose him the leadership challenge - commentator". RNZ. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ Devlin, Collette (21 May 2020). "Todd Muller's expenses show he is spending like a leader". Stuff. Retrieved 21 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Cooke, Henry (21 May 2020). "Todd Muller arrives in Wellington on eve of attempt to oust Simon Bridges". Stuff. Retrieved 21 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ Block, George (21 May 2020). "Nikki Kaye 'very busy' as she heads to Wellington with challenge vote looming". Stuff. Retrieved 21 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Pressure mounts as National falls to 29%, Labour skyrockets in 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton poll". 21 May 2020.
  24. ^ Coughlan, Thomas (21 May 2020). "Bridges plummets in latest poll, as National leadership race enters final day". Stuff. Retrieved 21 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ a b c d e Trevett, Claire (21 May 2020). "National leadership coup: Simon Bridges confident ahead of new poll, Todd Muller challenge". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020.
  26. ^ Theunissen, Matthew (20 May 2020). "Simon Bridges to face National Party leadership challenge". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020.
  27. ^ Houlahan, Mike (22 May 2020). "Woodhouse pledges allegiance as Bridges faces challenge". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  28. ^ Harman, Richard (21 May 2020). "How Bridges flushed out Muller". Politik. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020.
  29. ^ a b c d Malpass, Luke; Cooke, Henry (21 May 2020). "Simon Bridges vs Todd Muller: It's all about the big W for National". Stuff. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020.
  30. ^ Wrigley, Wynsley (21 May 2020). Bid to oust leader 'nutty stuff': Tolley. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  31. ^ Cooke, Henry (14 July 2020). "Todd Muller resignation: Judith Collins, Nikki Kaye, Simon Bridges, Paula Bennett won't rule out runs at National leader". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  32. ^ a b c Cardwell, Hamish (22 May 2020). "National leadership: MPs give little away as they fly in for vote". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020.
  33. ^ "Former PM Jim Bolger backs Todd Muller for next National leader". 19 May 2020. {{cite news}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  34. ^ Hooton, Matthew (22 May 2020). "Matthew Hooton: Simon Bridges v Todd Muller- why National has only one choice". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020.
  35. ^ a b Trevett, Claire (24 May 2020). "Anatomy of a coup: How Todd Muller felled Simon Bridges and who helped him". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020.
  36. ^ a b c d e f Harman, Richard (25 May 2020). "Adams' return signals what really lay behind Muller's campaign". Archived from the original on 25 May 2020.
  37. ^ Carroll, Joane (22 May 2020). "MP called 'useless' by Simon Bridges gets last laugh". Stuff. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020.
  38. ^ a b "Todd and Nikki 'one of the best' - Judith Collins on National leadership and new book". RNZ. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  39. ^ O'Brien, Tova (21 May 2020). "Judith Collins rules out run for leadership, but won't rule out visit from Todd Muller offering deputy role". Newshub. Retrieved 21 May 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ^ "National to hold emergency caucus meeting on Friday about party's leadership". TVNZ. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  41. ^ "Mark Mitchell may contest National Party leadership, 1 NEWS understands". TVNZ. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  42. ^ Ensor, Jamie; Small, Zane; O'Brien, Tova; Kronast, Hannah. "National Party leadership contest live updates: Simon Bridges v Todd Muller". Newshub. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 22 May 2020 suggested (help)
  43. ^ "Live: Todd Muller beats Simon Bridges in National Party leadership contest". Stuff. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  44. ^ "Live: Simon Bridges loses National Party leadership to Todd Muller". Radio New Zealand. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  45. ^ Malpass, Luke; Watkins, Tracey (24 May 2020). "How Todd Muller took Simon Bridges by surprise". Stuff. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  46. ^ "National leader Todd Muller reshuffles caucus: Adams rises, Tolley falls in new lineup". Radio New Zealand. 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  47. ^ Cooke, Henry (25 May 2020). "Simon Bridges to stay on in National, says he is 'not considering future'". Stuff. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  48. ^ "Former National Party deputy leader Paula Bennett to retire from politics at 2020 election". 29 June 2020.
  49. ^ Scotcher, Katie (30 June 2020). "National will consider Māori representation during caucus reshuffle". RNZ. Retrieved 30 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  50. ^ "National Party leader Todd Muller announces reshuffle". RNZ. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  51. ^ "Todd Muller resigns as National Party leader". RNZ. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
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