New Zealanders have given their verdict.
In voting National to power, they have said in no uncertain terms that they did not want a change and that ‘Dirty Politics’ and distractions would not alter their decision made perhaps more than a year ago that they can trust John Key and that they are safe under his watch.
They continue to see in him a charismatic leader, who they believe has done better than most other National Prime Ministers, and revived the country’s economy.
Mr Key and his party colleagues have reason to feel elated because National made it to the Beehive for the third term, each with additional seats in Parliament. He has put together a Cabinet, which has a number of new faces, indicating his mood for change and perhaps the need to create a new team to take over the next term in 2017.
National could have done better with an absolute majority – it fell short of just two seats.
But the formation of the new government was not a number game, because its coalition partners know that people’s choice was determined and pronounced.
While the ACT Party and United Future, with one seat each can give National the mandate to run the country’s affairs, Mr Key has decided to take in the Maori Party as a part of his inclusive policy.
That should give some balance in thought and approach, for ACT is known for its extremist right views, which runs antithetical to National, which is seen as a centre-right, practicing a more moderate, if not ultra-conservative policy.
Over the next three years, Mr Key and his Party will continuously be watched, for any Government in power for the third term of three years can show fatigue and worse, complacency. With a weak opposition, the latter could spell trouble.
Mr Key has swept into power, not just because people continue to trust him but also because they do not have faith in the opposition, especially Labour. Tax incentives, improving law and order, tougher sentencing for convicted criminals and repeat offenders, delivery of better health services, higher standards of education and most important of all, benevolent governance are issues on which he and his party have secured a good mandate.
Mr Key will know the nuances of running a successful foreign policy and setting in motion better trade deals with the US, India and other friendly countries. He has the able hand of Tim Groser, who has proved to be a good Trade Minister to promote New Zealand’s export market.
That apart, Mr Key will inevitably face a number of challenges both within his Party and without. As the leader of National that fought hard to clear its name in the recent scandals, he would have the unenviable task of keeping his colleagues under check; for some of them at least have the habit of running amok, announcing policies and programmes even before they are discussed in-house. He would also face the challenge of keeping fellow politicians with over-ambitious agenda under control.
We would presume that Mr Key would be adept at these tasks; for over the past six years, he has shown that he could be tough, friendly, firm and polite. He has acquired the acumen to handle day-to-day issues with dexterity and ruthlessness that the job would demand.
