Editorial Two
Issue 388 March 15, 2018
General elections are usually such an enigma to contestants, party workers and the voting public alike, that they offer both solace and chagrin to political parties.
The election held in New Zealand on September 23, 2017 was different. It showed that people were in a mood for change, and although National emerged as the single largest Party in Parliament, it failed to muster the number needed to form the government.
National is beginning to show signs of strain as the leading Opposition Party. While the simmering discontent was evident post-election, it became apparent last month when Bill English suddenly resigned from the leadership of the Party. The struggle for the top job that ensued left none the wiser; it showed frustration.
Avoiding pitfalls
Some MPs were anxious to avoid the pitfalls of other leaders of the opposition, who always start out promising a “new way of doing things” but slip into an easy comfort zone of opportunistic attacks.
In his book, ‘How to Be in Opposition: Life in the Political Shadows,’ author Nigel Fletcher said that the most successful leaders are those who have adopted a systematic formula for repositioning their party to reconnect with the electorate.
It is often said that everyone has hindsight and that even the uninitiated becomes an expert in a post-mortem analysis.
The worst and most unfortunate casualty was Bill English, whose surprise decision to step down from the leadership of the party sent ripples of anxiety among its rank and file. But from his point of view, it was a decision taken at the right time, owning responsibility for his Party’s debacle at the polls.
Such self-examination is imperative if National has to resurrect itself and be a strong Opposition and hope to regain power.
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