It seems quite odd to me that what I thought was supposed to be selection of a Prime Minister and a deputy Prime Minister by secret ballot next Monday have instead been a procession of pronouncements through the week by social media.
I guess National MPs can do their selecting and their voting however they like, but does anyone know if they have ever selected their leaders so publicly before?
Who remembers how John Key’s selection as National leader and leader of the opposition in 2007?
This is all the National Party constitution says about leadership selection:
PARLIAMENTARY SECTION
Constitution81.The Parliamentary Section of the Party shall consist of the members of the Party elected to the House of Representatives. Should at any time a member of the Parliamentary Section cease to be a member of the Party he or she shall cease to be a member of the Parliamentary Section. Leader
82. (a) The Parliamentary Section shall appoint its Leader as soon as practicable after each General Election.
(b) If at any time the leadership of the Parliamentary Section falls vacant, the Parliamentary Section shall appoint a Leader to fill such vacancy. Notwithstanding Rule 82 (a), the Parliamentary Section may at any time between General Elections confirm or change its Leader.
(c) The Leader of the Parliamentary Section shall, upon receiving the approval of the Board, become the Leader of the Party. The Board shall consider such approval as soon as practicable after the appointment by the Parliamentary Section of its Leader.
Maybe the secret ballot idea is incorrect and the National caucus just selects it’s leaders however they feel like at the time.
If no clear winner between Bennett and Bridges is found by Monday – when a caucus vote will be held – it is understood both candidates will give speeches to the party before a private ballot takes place.
Your NZ 
Blazer
/ 10th December 2016Who do you think parachuted Key into Helensville,the levers are pulled outside parliament.Who believes only English and Bronagh knew Key was resigning.?
Blazer
/ 10th December 2016apart from PDB,Corky,and Al I mean.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 10th December 2016I don’t because the report said he also told his close staff. He knew who he could trust.
Blazer
/ 10th December 2016Do you think he told Goodfellow,Boag,McCully,Bennett?
PDB
/ 10th December 2016As Al said he told people he could trust within his family, his personal staff (later on), and the National party hence the MSM had no idea about it prior to the announcement. Certain high ranking National party officials would’ve been told in advance but Bennett? No.
If this was the Labour leader in the same position news would’ve leaked well before the official announcement.
Blazer
/ 10th December 2016Bennetts in the NATZ party!
unitedtribes2
/ 11th December 2016Winston was the only one in the know.
Pete George
/ 11th December 2016He claims he was the only one in the know, but with no proof – which is normal Winston bull.
Bob
/ 10th December 2016I don’t have a problem with MP’s declaring publically before the vote if they wish, I don’t think all of them have, they don’t have to, it is a secret ballot so they can keep it secret if they want to.
It is different to how it has been in the past but a lot has changed in ten years, back then I used to read the paper in the office cafe at lunch everyday, now I work from home with colleagues all over the world and as of a month ago don’t even have a desk at the office (is needed for a new sales person, business is booming!). News is 24 hrs and instant, Twitter and Facebook mean parliamentarians are expected to be always available and to comment on whatever barking car the media are chasing today.
Those most upset are the media, Gower must be crushed he won’t be able to get all excited and lead the news on Monday from outside the caucus room, may have even been worth a ‘breaking news’ in the middle of the day! There will be a Christmas parade or the turning on of the Christmas lights that can fill the gap instead.
I agree with the comments on how it would work if Labour ever gets back into goverment, having a six week performance like the last few leadership changes would be a nightmare, one of the worst of these would be Prime Minister Teria for months while Labour sort it out and Winston renegotiating his agreement to get more babbles! Shudder!!!
The way it has turned out is ok, the decision is made and life goes on, how it works out will unfold in time.
Gezza
/ 10th December 2016Who cares? The jobs need filling. They’ll get filled quickly. All the rest is just fun, games n goss.