Penk becomes sacrificial lamb for empty National Party egos
Chris Penk quitting politics as fallout continues for National after failed leadership challenge
Just-sacked defence minister Chris Penk says he has no future in politics.
“I have reflected on my political future with my family tonight, and have decided I will not seek re-election as an MP in November,” he said, in a just released statement this evening.
He announced his planned retirement after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sacked him as a minister, after accusing him of attempting to launch a caucus coup.
“I am a proud member of the National Party, and I fully back National and Christopher Luxon to lead the Government after the election and take New Zealand forward,” Penk said.
“It has been a privilege to serve my community of Kaipara ki Mahurangi for the last nine years, and I am proud of the progress I have contributed to as a Minister this term. However, I have decided it is the time for me to seek other opportunities to serve New Zealand.”
He was minister of defence, of the security services and of building and construction. He was seen as a rising star of the National Party.
Stuff
I really liked Penk.
He was a unique talent inside National. He was funny, competent and smart.
You rarely see National MPs with those 3 qualities.
He has been made the sacrificial lamb in this farcical pretence at unity.
Penk had the courage to confront Luxon over his leadership while those who would benefit from his courage remained on the sidelines.
Ironically Penk is the leader National needs, that he has fallen upon his own sword because none of those who would benefit from his bravery shared his backbone is just another indictment upon a cursed Party.
National couldn’t organise an orgy in a cosplay monkey brothel while wearing banana costumes!
If you vote National this year, you don’t care about the country, and if you vote ACT or NZF, you hate the country.
Luxon will sack Penk for being honest but won’t sack Winston for being racist!
Independent Media is more important than ever, especially in the lead up to the Election. TDB is the largest Left Wing Blog in NZ and we have been operating for 13 years. We get zero funding from NZonAir and we don’t have no rich backers. If you can donate please do so here or directly into our account –12-3065-0133561-56
What does Ani think???
A question. Some predict more trouble inside the National Party before the election.
Should that be the case, who will spiteful Luxon sack next?
Who’s the most inoffensive back-bencher?
Mind you, we do say, you keep your friends close but you keep your enemies closer.
“If you vote National this year, you don’t care about the country, and if you vote ACT or NZF, you hate the country.”
I am going to be voting ACT because I used to love NZ and I want to again.
You have to be joking. Is it the Paul Henry vibe? How is ACT going to create the NZ you used to love? Produce another David Gray with Nicole’s help?
This outcome was never what caring and intelligent Kiwis wanted. It was clear that most just wanted to be rid of the awful, blundering Luxon! So, as often is the case, the best, or in this case the ONLY person capable of replacing Luxon, HAD TO GO! Such a familiar and spiteful outcome where there are no winners. Penk, please rethink and change sides – it’s not too late. You are the best of the bunch by a long shot and will be a huge loss to NZ politics. Luxon’s inability to see that Penk wasn’t on his own in this, further illustrates his lack of political acumen!
Luxon is such a weak cunt ,he should have sacked Winston and called an early election .Penk is just a scape goat while the other 5 co conspiriters are just as weak as Luxon .One of them could have taken the opportunity to step up and show support fo Penk who would have stepped aside and allowed them to be elected .But NO they chose to cower behind the skin head gang leader and sho how much back bone they really have .I just hope they picked theirs up off the floor on the way out .Look at the photo at the news release the only one looking happy was Upston ,the others were shitting their pants because they were scared they were going to be the scapegoat .Willis looks like a dried up lemon that is about to burst into tears because she has to stand up there and lie because she was hopping she would be the PM .
Penk voted for every shitty thing this government has inflicted on our country over the last three years.
Yeah he has a sense of humor but no one’s laughing now.
I’m not a leftie but I completely agree with you Martyn. The whole thing stinks. It’s not over I reckon, there’s more shit going down I reckon. Just needs one or two bad polls. Also, to give WattsTheFuck even more jobs…I just don’t get it.
Seriously, fuck this fetid bag of stinky CoCs
Did he have to say he backs Christopher Luxon in his message? I mean clearly he didn’t back him, which is completely understandable. Very much a politician
I wouldn’t go so far as to say I liked Penk, but at times he does seem to be a normal human being. A quality almost non-existent in National MPs and completely non-existent in ACT MPs.
I agree, it’s a desperately sad day for NZ. Very sorry to see you go, Penky.