Bridges to quit Parliament ‘in the coming weeks’
National Party finance spokesperson announces shock resignation.
National Party finance spokesperson and former leader Simon Bridges has announced he will quit Parliament within weeks.
In a surprise statement issued this morning, Bridges said he would hand his resignation to the Speaker “in the coming weeks”.
“I love the National Party and this year I will have been a proud member for 30 years,” he said.
“For the first time in a while, National is in a good place under Chris Luxon’s leadership with momentum heading into the next election…
“But more important to me than being a politician or a businessman, I’m a partner to Natalie and dad to Emlyn, Harry, and Jemima. This week my oldest two children turn 10 and 8 years old, and I want to be able to give them the best of me.”
Champion for Tauranga
In a statement, Luxon thanked Bridges for his service.
“Simon has been an absolute champion for Tauranga, for New Zealanders, and for the National Party over his 14-year career in Parliament. He was an excellent local MP, minister, leader of the National Party, and colleague.
“Most importantly for me, since I became leader, Simon has been a trusted adviser and confidant. I am going to personally miss his contribution to the National Party caucus.
“I want to pay tribute to Simon’s relentless efforts to make New Zealand a better place – and also thank Natalie, Emlyn, Harry, and Jemima for letting their husband and dad spend so much time away from home to help achieve that goal.
“Simon, go well. I wish you the very best.”
Successor to be announced
Luxon said he would announce a new finance spokesperson in the coming days and the process to select a new candidate to stand for National in the Tauranga by-election would begin in coming weeks.
In a tweet, Bridges’ opposite number Finance Minister Grant Robertson said: “It will be obvious we disagreed on much, but I will miss our exchanges. All the best to him, Natalie, and their whanau.”
More to come.
NBR staff
Tue, 15 Mar 2022
Tue, 15 Mar 2022
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Bridges to quit Parliament ‘in the coming weeks’
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