From NZ Herald · · 1m 20s
Why questioning Christopher Luxon's resignation over Opportunity matters
Luxon refuses to resign over Opportunity but won't stake job on it.
In brief
Luxon refuses to resign over Opportunity but won't stake job on it. Christopher Luxon won't resign to speak with Opportunity but National won't work with them after election. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Luxon's stance on Opportunity
Christopher Luxon ruled out National working with Opportunity in July but won't stake his job on that commitment.
“We wouldn't be working with them”
Opportunity's election prospects
Opportunity is polling around 5% necessary to enter Parliament after the November 8 election.
“Opportunity is polling around the 5% threshold necessary to enter Parliament”
Left and right need Opportunity
Recent polls show the left and right blocs may need Opportunity to form a Government after the election.
“Recent polling shows the left and right blocs may need Opportunity to form a Government after the election”
Luxon's hypothetical response
Luxon refused to answer whether he'd resign rather than negotiate with Opportunity after the election.
“That’s a ridiculous question. It’s a hypothetical question because we’re sitting here out from November 7”
Why resignation question matters
Former leaders have used resignation threats to show consequences for changing positions.
“Sir John Key promising to resign rather than change superannuation entitlements”
National's coalition strategy
National exists to govern and Act runs on locking others out of power.
“National exists to govern. One of National’s potential coalition partners, Act, is literally running on a slogan of locking the other guys out of power”
Luxon's dilemma
Luxon picks when to engage with hypotheticals but voters dislike politicians having it both ways.
“Luxon’s decision to not say whether he’d resign rather than speak to Opportunity shows he is picking and choosing when to engage with a hypothetical”
Election outcome uncertainty
Opportunity's support may peak and fall below 5% threshold before November 8 election.
“Opportunity’s support appears to have peaked, it’s only hovering just above the 5% mark”
Voter behavior risk
Voters might pull out at last minute if Opportunity supports bloc they are less keen on.
“It’s not a far-fetched scenario that New Zealanders, currently keen on the party that purports to be centrist, freak out at the ballot box at the idea of Opportunity supporting the bloc they are less keen on”
What happens next
Whether Opportunity enters Parliament depends on November 8 election results.
“Qiulae Wong and Opportunity Party will enter Parliament if the party receives more than 5% of the vote”
The takeaway
Christopher Luxon won't resign to speak with Opportunity but National won't work with them after election.
