New Poll and the danger for NZ First of Winston’s mortality
The latest political polling suggests a reshuffling of New Zealand’s political landscape, with NZ First gaining ground. But behind the numbers lies a deeper question — what happens to the party when Winston Peters is no longer at the helm?
Latest Stuff Poll Results: The Numbers
- Labour – 37
- National – 30
- Greens – 10
- NZF – 11
- ACT – 6
- TPM – 2
Labour And National: Momentum Shift
Labour are soaring as voters scramble to find an alternative to this hateful right wing Government.
National are sinking because Chris Luxon has all the rich prick charm of a road accident.
Greens Under Pressure From NZ First
Greens are in danger once again of being replaced as the third largest party, and if NZF over take them, Chlöe and Marama will be forced to bend the knee and suck Winston’s boot.
ACT’s Vote Leakage To NZ First
ACT continue to lose reactionary angry white voters to Winston because Bigots in NZ like their racism full bodied and without the fig leaf of libertarian intellectual pretensions.
The Winston Factor: Strength And Vulnerability
The danger for NZ First is also their greatest strength, Winston Peters himself.
NZF are a one trick pony and that one trick is called Winston Tiberius Peters.
He’s older than Israel, he’s been kingmaker 4 times and the secret to his political success has always been being the Māori who attacks other Māori for the angry whites.
Succession Risk And Internal Factions
But at 80, one simply can not ignore the mortality of Winston and should (God forbid) he get ill, the factions inside NZF will turn on each other with the speed of te Pati Māori on a Northland Marae.
As many people hate Shane Jones inside the Party as they do outside the Party.
Stuart Nash was supposed to be the golden boy who would be appointed over Shane, but he managed to screw that up by appearing on The Platform and denigrating half of the electorate.
Is NZ First Bigger Than One Man?
Once Winston has gone, NZF support will plummet. It’s not a Political Party, it’s a cult of no personality.
The callow gaucheness Winston appeals to is the friendly garden variety bigotry that makes the economically anxious conspiracy theorist electorate feel loved. Winston is their emotional support politician who is always ready to light a burning cross to keep spirits high.
Once gone, his fever hold over the lost and lonely will break.
NZ First’s polling surge may reflect frustration, protest or strategic positioning. But history shows the party’s support has always tracked the political fortunes of one man. The real question isn’t whether Winston can climb again — it’s whether NZ First survives the day he finally steps aside.
Winston’s popularity reflects the feelings of many New Zealanders who feel marginalised by the Greens.
Really Bob? I think Winston’s popularity reflects the New Zealanders who have it in for the Browns…..and of course those that think the earth is a big blue pancake.