The three main contenders are David Carter, Maurice Williamson and Tau Henare. I’ll cover each and will revise the post as fresh information comes in through the tip line.
David Carter
An old fashioned gentleman who’s courtesy is a byword in the National Party. Known to be diffident or opposed to becoming speaker but the top brass want to move him aside so they can seamlessly bring Nick Smith back into cabinet to run the environment portfolio that Amy Adams has proven to be so inept in.
Pros
- Nice convenient fit
- No one would mind calling him Sir David
- No real enemies in the house
Weaknesses
- Gentleman and relies on peoples good nature.
- MPs don’t have a good natures
- Winston and Trev will carve him up like the Christmas turkey
I find it hard not to feel a little sorry for David being put in this difficult position. He is too much of a gentleman and a team player to complain, but he is not a natural fit for speaker.
Maurice Williamson
Aside from Scott Simpson, Maurice is my oldest friend in caucus. He has many virtues that Scott doesn’t have, like ethics and a sense of theatre. Maurice is the first man to put on a debating team, a brilliant entertainer and a real raconteur.
Pros
- Will dominate proceedings and ensure the smooth running of parliament
- Will nail Winston and Trev on a daily basis until they learn who is boss
- Bloody good in a knife fight, and known to be willing to take a few hits for a good cause
- Discipline will be enforced without exception
Cons
- Not a convenient fit for bringing Nick back into the environment portfolio
- Will be the centre of attention in parliament
- Offside with the brat pack who still have a lot of influence, even though he was proven right on Bill English being tits.
Tau Henare
Tau is a man I have grown to know and like over the last ten years. He has the underlying mongrel that is found in union fixers, and is usually lacking in National. He has low rat cunning almost as good as Russel Norman’s, and low bastardry that makes you wonder if he has spent time in Australia.
Pros
- Makes Maurice look like a little girl in a knife fight
- Good at getting factional war lords in behind the cause, no matter what faction they are
- Hates Winston over the New Zealand First disaster, and got whacked by Trevor so is going to be very strong on parliamentary procedure
Cons
- As rough as guts and way too interested in a big donneybrook just for the sake of it
- Not the PM or Steven Joyce’s choice
- Might seek utu on a few within National
- Sir Tau would grate a good many in cabinet
From a theatrical perspective is a real toss up between Maurice and Tau. Maurice will be poetry in motion to watch, whereas Tau will not be burdened by the dignity the position when it comes to having a brawl. I find it hard to pick between the two.
