ACT Welcomes Brownlee's Appointment
ACT New Zealand Acting Leader Ken Shirley today welcomed Gerry Brownlee's elevation to Deputy Leader of the National
Party.
"Mr Brownlee's appointment confirms National's status as a broad church party spanning a wide range of philosophical
beliefs," Mr Shirley said.
"National needs to wrestle the middle ground of the New Zealand electorate from Labour and Mr Brownlee is an obvious
champion for the centrists and populists. He is also likely to firm up for National the wavering remnants of Rob's Mob.
"Mr Brownlee both contrasts and compliments Don Brash's leadership style and qualities. Dr Brash shares ACT's core
values and principles; he is a champion of individual choice and freedom. He supports lower taxes, reduced welfare
dependency and shares ACT's passion for excellence in education.
"I believe ACT can work very closely with a Brash-led National Party and Gerry Brownlee, with his contrasting
positioning, offers the potential of broadening and expanding support for the centre-right with the New Zealand
electorate.
"This broadening of appeal then reinforces ACT's key role at the strategic apex of centre- right politics. We are the
guardians of the philosophical base," Mr Shirley said.