Following an embarrassing poll result Simon Bridges came out firing in his first speech of the year in Parliament yesterday, in response to the Prime Minister’s statement.
It was the best of speeches, it was the worst of speeches, depending who is describing it.
Predictably Winston Peters, who spoke immediately afterwards, slammed and ridiculed the speech and Bridges.
Nice wasn’t on Winston’s agenda, and Jacinda Ardern laughed alongside him.
And the opposite was also claimed.
Here is Bridges’ speech:
Did it do enough to lift his leadership? One speech does not make a leader.
All the speeches can be seen online here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20190212_20190212_20/tab/video?page=5
And Hansard transcripts: DEBATE ON PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT
Gerrit
/ February 13, 2019Even on Whaleoil the commentators unanimously rubbish both Peters and Ardern (for her silly laughs and lack of “kindness). Is the worm turning for Whaleoil followers??
“Salty Dog — Winston is a bully plus the Prime MInister showing her true side supporting and laughing at what Winston says. So much for leading by example. What a pity New Zealand wasn’t shown this clip before the last poll. This is the coalition of the nasty.”
https://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2019/02/winston-on-fire/#disqus_thread
Ardern certainly did her “kindness” message no favours.
When on 2.5% in the polls is attack the best message to get voters to support NZ First?
As for Mallard, up there with Wilson as the most partisan speaker ever.
Finbaar Rustle
/ February 13, 2019The worst speaker was Lockwood Smith. After 30 years of disrupting the flow of parliament with idiotic interjections when he became speaker he barred all interjections so his Gov’t did not receive any criticism.
Kitty Catkin
/ February 13, 2019She came across as a silly giggler.
Catullus was right when he said that nam risu inepto res ineptior nullus est.
Mother
/ February 13, 2019Is it my increasing interest in politics that makes it seem that it is getting more cruel? This in the day when the left push silly law (banning what should be trivial difficulties) and the right looking like a joke and out of touch (when they’re trying to be tough).
We need leaders on the right who have personally done the tough yards in the character stakes. This will provide the moderation we desire.
The style of kindness we presently chase is cruelty in disguise.
Perhaps if Mr Peters is as difficult a character as many think, his true colours as he ages might bring the cruelty to a head in our MMP system. I think that his political games are a reflection of his personal mind games. I used to think he looked like a leader. I now see him as narcissistic. In fact I see many older people as narcissistic, and this is a word I think is bandied around too much – along with ‘mental health’. I think that the older people, in general, are the reason why we have a narcissistic problem.
Meanwhile, I ask individuals to think about what they want to do re Christianity.
Maureen, I’m not any sort of ‘character’ according to your imagination. Peoples’ imaginations run wild on blog sites. I’m an individual making my own choices. Surely this is the legacy we desire for the future individuals of our democracy.
SB and PB are terribly lacking the depth of character we need. They have no more leadership type character than Jacinda.
Finbaar Rustle
/ February 13, 2019Good morning Mother.
I like the gentle thoughts you bring to the blog.
Not saying I always agree with you at all.
However unlike most here you are not totally focused on winning at any cost.
Most on this blog are totally dyed in the wool, one eyed fanatics.
They only see their sides strengths and are blind to their weaknesses.
Conversely they never acknowledge their opponents strengths
but focus only on their opponents weaknesses.
They will ignore 90 strengths of their opponents and then point out
one error and say “There I proved you wrong. So I am right”.
It happens on this blog all day every day.
Silly and childish really and I think you often question why otherwise
decent adults can be so mind numbingly blind and spiteful.
Dead in the wool.
is it really worth it?
Apparently so.
Sad 😦
Blazer
/ February 13, 2019we need Jesus to return and lead a new party.👀
Mother
/ February 13, 2019Getting spiritual are you Blazer?
Blazer
/ February 13, 2019I would call it the OMG Party.
Finbaar Rustle
/ February 13, 2019As for Simon Bridge’s speech in fact all the speeches.
We learned nothing except both parties claiming the high ground.
They are exactly the same as all speeches I have heard since opening day 1975.
Yes 44 years of the same claim and counter claim by either major party.
To be fair National and Labour are now almost identical.
Yawn 😦
Mother
/ February 13, 2019Mr Rustle, kia ora.
I bring gentle thoughts? It always feels to me like I am pushing. I hate that feeling, but I hate inaction more.
I appreciate your encouragement very much.
I did notice your arrival on YourNZ. It was very welcome from my perspective. As Parti would say, ‘bat away’.
Patzcuaro
/ February 13, 2019PDB
/ February 13, 2019Rod Emerson and Duker have something in common…an obsession with Simon Bridges.
Duker
/ February 13, 2019Not an obsession ..just hes in the news more often than 90% of national party Mps .
Did you see this one where those very Mps didnt seem to wholeheartedly backing Bridges
https://thestandard.org.nz/the-leader-has-my-full-support/
Blazer
/ February 13, 2019nothing Bridges likes better than ripping the top off an…Emmersons!
Kitty Catkin
/ February 13, 2019People aren’t as stupid as some reporters seem to imagine. Good luck trying to trap Judith Collins into saying something indiscreet.
Duker
/ February 13, 2019“The best speech by a leader since David Lange IMHO,” says Laurel Hall.
But during the partys 2018 leadership contest party stalwart Laurel had no interest in Bridges
“You may find that Heartland National country support MM @MarkMitchellMP . Party HQ and caucus may need to rethink and reboot”
High Flying Duck
/ February 13, 2019Shows how well he did then, winning over a sceptic.
Blazer
/ February 13, 2019Laurel Hall?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11618046
duperez
/ February 13, 2019If that link is to cast a light on Laurel Hall’s perspective of the world you’ve done it clearly.
I reckon that if Andrew Little had made that speech in exactly the same tenor Laurel Hall would’ve been calling him ‘Angry’ Andrew.
Locally we were always looking out for suitable people to judge annual debating competitions. Showing such limited experience and judgement as to call Bridges’ effort as “best speech by a leader since David Lange” would see Ms Hall make the ‘possibles’ list only if all other possibilities had died. But then even in that state they would seem to be no less qualified.
Gezza
/ February 13, 2019wot ? 😳
duperez
/ February 13, 2019Hall is a partisan idiot of limited experience, intellect or both. 😊
Kitty Catkin
/ February 13, 2019I think that the Peters/Ardern cacchination was very bad taste and very unkind.
Zedd
/ February 13, 2019Listening to the continuation of the PMs speech debate:
‘Its the end of the world/economy as we know it’.. according to all opposition MPs.
Usual Fear-mongering from the Tories 😦
‘The country voted for CHANGE (after 9 looong years of stagnation) & the New Govt. are getting on with it’ say ALL the Govt. MPs. 🙂
The Natl MPs would have us believe that this Govt. is in total disarray & about to crash & burn, because they didn’t get the tax-cuts, they promised themselves; pre-election
Meanwhile the economy is reportedly going strong & unemployment is at a 10 year low.
SO.. who should we believe ? 😀