Street Maryan: General Debate 
Street Maryan: General Debate 
[Volume:630;Page:2707] 
MARYAN STREET (Labour) 
: 
 When leadership is in question divisions are rife. That is what we have in the National Party. There is no leadership and that leads to what my colleague referred to earlier if I could use his words as the “headless chook” syndrome. During National’s 3-day caucus in Taupo some time ago its number one leadership contender John Key suggested that one of National’s own MPs was behind claims that he was running a campaign of destabilisation against Dr Brash. The MP had accused Mr Key in the  
Weekend Herald 
 of encouraging media speculation about the leadership and claimed the caucus was furious with the finance spokesperson. The claims about a destabilisation campaign were regarded by Mr Key’s supporters as an attempt by the Brash camp to spoil any attempt Mr Key might make on the leadership. John Key confirmed he knew who the individual in the caucus was but he declined to name the person and said he would not be confronting him or her. 
That level of toxicity within a party tends to be terminal for one contender or the other. The question is which contender it will be terminal for. Over half of National’s supporters backed John Key to replace Dr Brash. A TV3 poll showed that 33 percent of National voters wanted Dr Brash to be replaced which is a margin that must surely be causing the National leader some discomfort. Perhaps of even greater discomfort to Dr Brash was the clear-cut result—again amongst National voters—when National voters were asked who should replace Dr Brash if there were to be a change in leadership. The polls showed overwhelming support—some 53 percent—for John Key to have the top job. 
That level of dissatisfaction with the current leader is clearly causing concern within the National Party. It must be causing some of the more able new intake of National MPs to despair. One of two of them with perhaps some useful ability to bring to this House are sitting back and watching their front bench lead them to disaster. This cannot be what they thought would happen when they put themselves up for selection. 
There is however a cure for their ailment. It is policy. Where there are ideas where there are policy initiatives and where there are novel solutions to the challenges before New Zealand even a divided caucus will fall in behind its leaders and work together to address the critical issues of the day. Where there is a compelling vision behind which thoughtful polices are positioned there will be a united caucus effort to realise them. The truth is that the National Party has neither a compelling vision nor any policy thoughtful or otherwise behind it. Dr Brash is incapable of articulating a vision and incapable of leading policy development to a point where it can be remembered—even by himself—and that is driving the National caucus to gnaw itself to pieces. 
 In marked and absolute contrast to the National Party Labour has a vision for this country of economic transformation shared prosperity inclusive celebration of our identity as New Zealanders and giving families the best chance possible to bring up their children. We have secure capable and popular leadership. We have an easily articulated vision of pride in our country and its achievements. We have a team fired up on our policies and on moving forward to get them supported and implemented. In stark contrast to the lame divided inarticulate unpersuasive Opposition Labour will continue to lead this Government in a way that New Zealanders who care about fairness for all can be proud of. The policies that we have and that we are working to get implemented and to gain popular support for and on which we campaigned and—in fact—won the election are policies around economic transformation fairness to people and giving families the best opportunity possible to bring up their children. They are about ensuring that the prosperity of this country is given a chance to continue to grow and that it moves along on a stable policy platform and is shared equitably among New Zealanders.