Winston Peters has been given the opportunity to preach politics, according to Claire Trevett to Labour.
Peters’ message to Labour: Fix up, look sharp
NZ First leader Winston Peters has sent a veiled message to Labour to shape up if it hopes to thwart Prime Minister John Key’s ambitions of getting a fourth term in Government.
Mr Key told the Herald last week he did intend to seek a fourth term as Prime Minister.
Asked about that ambition at Ratana, Mr Peters would not rule out Key’s chances and instead sent a subtle jab Labour’s way. “If the Opposition was in any way what it should be, [Key] wouldn’t have a hope in Hades.”
“That’s the real test. Whether the Opposition parties mark up, shape up, keep themselves focused, keep their eyes on what the prize should be rather than their own political and egregious self interest and advantage. If they do that, then the Government wouldn’t have a show in its present construction.”
But doesn’t Peters fancy himself as the real leader of the Opposition?
Whether intentional or not it sounds like Peters is damning his own performance as much as anyone’s.
“Their own political and egregious self interest and advantage” is funny coming from him.
Peters started last year with a hiss and a roar, out manoeuvring Labour in the Northland by-election and then embarrassing National.
But after winning the electorate Peters seemed to fizzle out a bit. The most notable NZ First news through the rest of the year was Ron Mark replacing Tracey Martin as deputy leader – his “own political and egregious self interest and advantage” and it’s very debatable whether that will help NZ First’s chances.
“If the Opposition was in any way what it should be, [Key] wouldn’t have a hope in Hades.”
Is that the Opposition including Peters or excluding him?
Timoti
/ 25th January 2016Wonder what the north think of ” Wonder Boy” now? Will the protest vote go back to National?
Pantsdownbrown
/ 25th January 2016I think it highly likely that National would win the seat back during a general election with Winston leading a political party & having to deal with all that entails.
Blazer
/ 26th January 2016have to cross that…bridge,when we get to it…Uncle Tim.
kittycatkin
/ 25th January 2016He doesn’t seem to have heard that you never give the other fellow free publicity, as my stepfather used to say.
Timoti
/ 25th January 2016Sorry to hear you had a step father Kittycat. Did it effect your life for better or worse?
kittycatkin
/ 25th January 2016Why are you sorry ? It’s not that uncommon. He was a wonderful man, so affected my life for the better as my mother now had this marvellous man to take care of her after being on her own. Being a widow is hard for a woman with children.
kittycatkin
/ 25th January 2016I find it odd that someone’s first reaction is to be sorry-if this was sincere. I hope that I didn’t disappoint you by not having a stepfather who was a real villain.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 25th January 2016I am a stepfather now and finding it an enjoyable challenge. Kindness goes a long way. So does patience.
Rob
/ 25th January 2016I have a step daughter whom I adopted as a child. She’s my daughter and I’m her father and neither of us see it any other way. She knows and sees her real father and they have a good relationship although she doesn’t call him Dad. She’s made me proud.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 25th January 2016Well done, Rob. Too many kids grow up without any father. It makes a big difference to have a Dad that cares and your stepdaughter has two.
Rob
/ 26th January 2016Thanks for that Alan and all the best with your challenge. “Kindness goes a long way. So does patience.” Good advice.
kittycatkin
/ 26th January 2016Mine was a family friend as long as I could remember-he and my father grew up together. He was a wonderful man and it was a privilege to be part of his family. I can think of nobody whom I would rather have had as a step. I still thought of him as and called him ‘Uncle ________’ as he had been my Uncle ________ forever. He was one of the first to visit when I was born, which I inconsiderately was in the middle of the cricket season, right before a big match. He and my father came in with flowers, stayed for about a second and a half and raced off again, or so the story went. 😀
kittycatkin
/ 26th January 2016Did anyone see the news story about the father and stepfather who just could not get on with each other-when the daughter/stepdaughter married, her father walked her down the aisle…then raced back and grabbed the stepfather’s hand and towed him down the aisle to stand beside him, as he had been her other father for ? years and was entitled to share this most important and special moment ? It was a beautiful thing.
Rob
/ 26th January 2016And some dickhead downvotes. Lord their are some assholes in this world.