Media Release
12 October 2001
Ho Hum, Tedium!
“The Dipton under 7’s will field a stronger front row than this”, New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters said on being
informed of the National Party’s new line-up.
“Mr English is going to have to get bold and make more significant changes if he is to have any chance of bringing the
National Party closer to the centre of New Zealand politics and away from the dry right policies of Jenny Shipley and
her supporters. I guess you can’t really shuffle if you don’t have a good pack.
“There is a clear division within the National Party caucus between those just to the right of the political spectrum –
and those to the far right like Jenny Shipley. Mr English needs to accept that a move to the centre will not appease all
of the existing factions within his own party or his allies, the extremists of ACT. But it is the only move that will
satisfy the disillusioned National voters,” Mr Peters said.
“Just look at this ‘new’ line-up: where are the new sharp minds? Where is the new blood? Why is there no significant
role for the hard-working and genuine Belinda Vernon? How can Gerry Brownlee be ‘shadow’ leader of the House?
“Bill English has looked after his mates and paid a few debts and undoubtedly opened a can or two of worms. Watch for
the resignations!
“The really sad fact is that New Zealanders have again been short changed and will certainly not be able to rely on this
line-up subjecting their Labour cousins to any significant scrutiny,” said Mr Peters.
ENDS