The unforced error problem.
Yesterday should have been a good day for the National Party. Instead, it was derailed by the latest bit of riffing by Christopher Luxon, in declaring, prompted by a listener’s text on Newstalk ZB, that he’d like a referendum next term on MMP. A big day for the CRL, for education and for decrying Labour saying it would nix Investment Boost, got lost in the debris.
In a new episode of Gone By Lunchtime, Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire discuss the latest unforced error from the prime minister, which follows hot on the heels of a regrettable appearance before the Rotorua Business Chamber, questions around use of NZDF transport for excursions including National Party fundraisers, and yet another public display of coalition dysfunction, following Winston Peter’s attack in parliament on Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan.
Those comments, described by almost everyone as racist, prompted a diplomatic incident and international headlines, yet the PM felt he couldn’t take any action beyond condemnation.
