Luxon sacks the only member of his Caucus who has any talent
PM strips Chris Penk of his portfolios after ‘leadership challenge’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has sacked Chris Penk as a minister, alleging he launched the “leadership challenge” that led to today’s emergency caucus meeting.
Penk has repeatedly denied he was working to roll Luxon.
Penk was quickly rising up the ranks of Luxon’s ministry, but he’s now gone. The former navy officer was recently made minister of defence earlier this year, after Judith Collins retired from politics.
“Chris Penk launched a leadership challenge this week, which resulted in today’s confidence vote. This makes his role untenable and as such I have removed his portfolios,” Luxon said, in a statement.
He said Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith would pick up the Defence, Veterans, Space, GCSB, and NZSIS portfolios. Simon Watts would become Minister for Building and Construction.
Luxon’s office sent out the statement hours after most MPs and ministers had left Wellington.
On his way out of Wellington earlier this afternoon, Penk said he was “really pleased” that Luxon was still in charge.
Asked if he expected to keep the defence portfolio, Penk said, “It’s always the case that ministerial portfolios are at the gift of the prime minister. So, any other day of the week, I would say the same thing I’d say now, which is that those decisions are for the prime minister.”
Stuff
Luxon has managed to compound his coup disunity by7 sacking the only Caucus member with any actual talent – PENKY!
The irony here is that Penk is actually the mustard and would be a great leader for National so Luxon knifing him for revenge for what was really a Bishop, Willis and Stanford plot manages to wound National even more!
The 5 Villains as Hooton has named them are Simeone Brown, Mark Mitchell, Bishop, Stanford and Willis because they weren’t prepared to compromise and push Luxon out.
He didn’t mention Penk.
Luxon will sack Penk for being honest but won’t sack Winston for being racist.
Penk is too talented to remain on the backbenches.
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One of the most depressing decisions to come out of Penk’s sacking is Luxon loading most of Penk’s Cabinet responsibilities onto bewildered and blithering Paul Goldsmith.
Not only that but rumour has it PG may also take over Penk’s electorate!
Shows what an utter paucity of talent in their ranks!
Ah hang on Bomber. This guy was providing the political environment to soften up the public to change the Nuclear free legislation !
You sure you know this guy well enough to endorse him ?
Penky has quit. Fair enough, being in opposition sucks.
Penk has decided to quit politics. Who can blame him with the prospect of 3 more years of Luxon.
You’ll have to get him on your next show together with Hooton to spill all the beans on what really happened lol.
Jeez that was quick!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/361017190/live-christopher-luxon-leadership-vote
Penk is my local MP who volunteered to box in the pub just down the road to help raise money for a local sparky with cancer – can’t see Luxon doing anything like that.
Empty woke corporate suit that just spouts meaningless soundbites.
Penk for ACT, quick do it Penky! You’d combine beautifully with Seymour.
Oh Jonzie ..you and your wet dreams !
a bit premature me thinks. where is Penk on the list? was it a last ditch stand?