John MacDonald: National's "nothing to see here" doesn't cut it

A dog’s breakfast. That’s the only way I can describe the National Party’s handling of the speculation over Christopher Luxon’s leadership. Because “nothing to see here” never works. What’s more, I just don’t believe what they’re saying. Luxon called the confidence vote yesterday and came out of the caucus meeting saying he had the backing of his MPs and that was that. He wouldn’t answer any questions from reporters after he read out his statement. But he did take the opportunity to fire a broadside at them, saying he was disappointed with the recent media coverage and wouldn’t be engaging in “speculation and rumour”. But, as the likes of Thomas Coughlan from the NZ Herald have been quick to point out, this wasn’t made up by reporters. What was reported was what was actually happening. National MPs talking out of school. Telling the media what they really think of Luxon. Not that we should be surprised by this misguided attack on the media. Because the reason this has been such a dog’s breakfast, is that the party and its leader have been in complete denial. Especially, since last Friday.That was when the NZ Herald first reported on party whip Stuart Smith having no luck reaching his leader to tell him that some of his MPs weren’t happy with his performance. And it got really weird yesterday when Smith himself - who had told One News on Monday night that he was definitely going to be at yesterday’s caucus meeting providing the storm in Wellington didn’t muck up his travel plans - was a no-show. He said on Monday night he’d been trying to fly to Wellington but had been delayed by the weather. But he did intend to get to the capital on Tuesday morning. Then next morning, he announced in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office that he wouldn’t be attending because he had a “longstanding personal appointment”. I’m sorry. But that’s just nonsense. Because, if you’re the party whip, it’s your job to be at caucus meetings and you don’t go making longstanding personal appointments that clash with the caucus schedule. What’s more, this is the guy who was saying on Monday night he’d be there. Then he wasn’t. Because of this longstanding appointment. This is the sort of Keystone Cops stuff that might be acceptable from an opposition party, but not from a party in government. A party in government that has never been shy of picking holes in Jacinda Ardern’s promise that her government was going to be the most open and transparent government in the history of governments. It wasn’t, of course. But how rich of National to criticise Labour and be just as smoke and mirrors on it. Because, for me, this isn’t just about the National Party. This is about the government. It’s not just about a party leader. It’s about the Prime Minister. That’s why “nothing to see here” doesn’t cut it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.