Chris vs Chris in the House

The first chance for Luxon to cross swords with Chippy as Prime Minister happened in the House with the State of the Nation speech from Chippy as he opened election year Parliament.

It was watched for clues as to how they will joust against each other and over what issues.

Chippy was confident and clear in his delivery. We all praised Jacinda’s communication skills, but Chippy has become Prime Minister in the wake of that dreadful Wayne Brown media stand up where Chippy’s calm pragmatism trumped Brown’s wide eyed panic.

Stressed out people want pragmatism, they don’t want the performative art of emotional kindness.

That’s not to say Chippy is an emotionless robot, his choking up when he spoke of the death of Firefighters was real and authentic and genuine and ultimately very kiwi.

The pride he speaks of when highlighting the manner everyone has rallied around is real and it is something many will feel deeply connected to.

Chippy’s bold claim to do whatever it takes to rebuild and recover is the kind of certainty this country needs right now and he manages to provide some sense of hope.

Chippy is making it clear we have room to borrow and makes the challenge that climate change has changed everything.

“Now is not the time for austerity”.

Let’s get cracking!

It is a class act and Chippy has stamped his style on this Government.

This is the power of leadership in a crisis and it makes gaining any political oxygen almost impossible for Chris Luxon.

Simon Bridges may have been right when he criticised Covid, but his tone was felt to be totally off in the face of a mass challenge and he was politically punished.

Luxon misreads the room and instead of focusing on the enormity of the Storms begins with political jabs.

Feels petty. He should be a Statesman in this moment, not a politician.

Has the political intelligence to thank those who have helped clean up, appreciates this is part of our identity.

His respect to First Responders is genuine and reminds you he can step up when he needs.

The problem is while he can be constructive, National still have no actual vision or policy for the problems.

Their climate change policy is to repeal everything Labour did over the last 5 years, so what actual solutions are they bringing other than the interests of those profiting from cow pollution?

Chippy’s speech was a quiet victory for decency and his style connects with a Kiwi mindset that is willing to trust and listen.

Luxon’s speech was professional but felt like a Timeshare pitch for a holiday home in Queenstown that you can’t really afford.

 

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