Three more years – English sets sights on next election
NBR Poll Result: What NBR readers think of Bill English staying on as National leader.
The National Party caucus – at 56 the largest opposition to sit in the New Zealand Parliament – has swung in behind leader Bill English.
He was unopposed on Tuesday when he put himself up to lead National into the next election, in 2020.
His deputy, Paula Bennett, was also re-elected unopposed.
Mr English won more party votes for National in the general election than his predecessor, Sir John Key.
But it was not enough to enable National reach a majority in the 120-seat Parliament due to the lack of support from another party.
It is Mr English’s second election defeat as leader; the last was in 2002 when Helen Clark led a successful Labour Party.
Mr English was removed as leader in favour of Don Brash in 2002, before regaining the position with Sir John's retirement from politics.
NBR asked reader-subscribers for their view of whether Mr English should remain as leader, be replaced by Nikki Kaye or someone else for the next election.
Two out of three (65%) voted to retain Mr English, while 12% supported Ms Kaye. The remainder, 23%, wanted a new face but not Ms Kaye.
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Nevil Gibson
Wed, 25 Oct 2017
Wed, 25 Oct 2017
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Three more years – English sets sights on next election
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