Ahead of the September 19 polls in New Zealand, opposition leader of the National Party, Simon Bridges, has ruled out any post-election deal or chance of working with another opposition party, New Zealand First, citing his distrust for First’s party leader, Winston Peters, as his main motive.
What Bridges said
Making the big announcement following the party’s caucus retreat in Havelock North, Bridges said: “I don’t believe we can work with NZ First and have a constructive trusting relationship.”
Explaining further, Bridges revealed that while a deal was in progress after the last elections, the New Zealand First party leader, Winston Peters, was suing Members of Parliament under the National Party. “I don’t trust NZ First and I don’t believe New Zealanders can either.”
Bridges’ message also touched on coalitions he alleged New Zealanders are not aware of. He further accused New Zealand First of being “tied at the hip” to current New Zealand Prime Minister and leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, Jacinda Arden. He also cited an alleged alliance between the party and left-wing political party, Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, saying, “a vote for NZ First is a vote for Labour and the Greens.”
Closing out his statement, Bridges who assumed office in 2018 after nearly 10 years as a Member of Parliament reiterated that despite the outcome of the polls, a coalition with New Zealand First will not be an option as his party would rather remain opposition for three years, than work with the party.
“Our decisions will be about what’s best for New Zealanders, not what’s best for NZ First.”
Winston Peters Fires Back
Reacting to Bridges’ statement, Peters called it the “worst strategic move” the party could make, stressing the need for a unified front.
“Having been in politics a long time, and a member of the National Party for over 25 years, the one thing New Zealand First is confident about is that if voters deliver that possibility, and if Mr Bridges doesn’t pick up the phone, someone else within his caucus will do it for him,” Peters said.
“He has also demonstrated he has no insight into what a unified caucus looks like.
“As Douglas McArthur said, there’ll come a time soon when he’ll when want to see me much more than I want to see him.”
