Rodney MP in leadership race

By the time this paper is published, a new leader will be chosen for the National Party. MPs were to make their decision on February 27.

Rodney MP Mark Mitchell threw his hat into the ring on February 19. He said that becoming leader of the National Party had not been on his radar but when Bill English resigned, colleagues approached him as a potential replacement.

The former Defence Minister has clearly relished spending more time in his electorate since National was ousted from power in the last election. However, he said he received overwhelming support from his electorate to contest the leadership.

If he is chosen as Leader of the Opposition, demands on his time will keep him away from Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast. “There are important projects I’m working on locally that I will need to finish, and my electorate will be a shared priority with the leadership if I’m successful,” he said. “As leader of the opposition I would immediately be focused on campaigning for the 2020 election.”

He backed himself, saying he has as much chance of success as the others who put themselves forward –Amy Adams, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce and Judith Collins.

He spent the final week before the decision was made by caucus lobbying for support with each of his 55 colleagues – a task he described as “frenetic”.

Mr Mitchell did not seek appointment as deputy leader, saying he was focused on the leadership.
“Some people thrive in leadership roles and I put myself in that category.”

Further comment from Mark Mitchell will go up after the decision is made.