Sorry if I have missed something significant on this subject, but what is Rodney Hide doing?
Twice it has been reported that he is not giving a valedictory speech because he is not leaving parliament.
He isn't on National's list. He isn't standing for National in Epsom.
He isn't on ACT's list (with number three yet to be confirmed) and he isn't standing for ACT in Epsom.
Don't think he will be standing for the Mana Party somehow.
Which leaves another distinct possibility. He will stand as an Independent in Epsom.
Traditionally independent candidates do diddly squat. BUT Hide is a Minister. If National does a deal for him to continue in ministerial capacity he can continue to be an effective electorate MP. Peter Dunne and Jim Anderton have essentially been doing the same thing at various times.
I imagine that Rodney has a fair bit of personal loyalty saved in the Epsom bank. If I lived there I would vote for him even as an Independent.
And even if he failed he would probably do for Banks in the process. John Banks, who has to win Epsom to keep ACT in parliament. Can't see that worrying Rodney somehow. And why should it?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Well, IF I lived in Epsom, which I don't, and if Hide stood, I'd swallow a dead rat and vote for him to keep Banks out and to show Brash that the days of corporate raiders ended in the 80's.
I reckon he'd win in a canter.
Rodney said not giving a valedictory because he's not voluntarily leaving parliament, not because he's staying.
Peter, I no longer pay much attention to the minutiae of politics and recently saw a brief report in the DomPost that did not qualify his position.
I would hope Rodney is going to have a well-deserved break and spend some time with his family.
He can write another book, this time spelling out more on his philosophy and beliefs in preparation for a return to politics in 2014-15.
There could also be a senior public service job for him in the meantime, but I expect he will return to parliament when the time is ripe.
I hope so, he has too many talents to waste but a break should do him the world of good.
Yes...last time I saw him he was bitter about getting ousted and wasn't ready to go at all. A break away would do him good then a return when he's ready. Reinvent the Rodney of old and go full out Libertarian as he hinted to me he wanted to do.He can snipe from the sidelines and build momentum for when the current mob get stale...but if he stands in Epsom its all on. ;-0
Rodney should start a libertarian think tank for NZ, full on libertarian and not just economic issues. And without all the crazy cult baggage from a certain sect of libertarians who aren't sure how to spell the word.
Post a Comment