July 14, 2020
Collins best pick to shape up to Ardern
Political commentator, Matt McCarten says National has no choice but Judith Collins if they wanted to avoid an election wipe-out.
The party’s caucus made the Papakura MP their new leader last night after Todd Muller quit less than two months into the job and two months out from the election.
Gerry Brownlee was made her deputy in a sign MPs were opting for experience.
Mr McCarten, who was chief of staff for two Labour Opposition leaders, says neither Mr Muller nor former leader Simon Bridges were able to counter Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s popularity.
"I think you need a woman to take Jacinda on because the men pull their punches because of inherent sexism which makes it harder for them because they don't treat her as an equal, and it works against them. They don't call her out. Judith Collins has none of those problems and she can get away with it," he says.
Matt McCarten says the closest parallel he can see is Don Brash taking over from Bill English when National was in the doldrums, and by his anti-Māori rights campaign getting the party within two seats of forming a government.
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