# National’s electorate MPs could fuel party instability

> National’s smaller caucus risks instability as electorate MPs gain power.
- Title: National’s electorate MPs could fuel party instability
- Summary: National’s smaller caucus risks instability as electorate MPs gain power. National’s electorate MPs may cause party instability after election, with Janet…
- Keywords: national party, labour party, opportunity party, election 2026, tāmaki, christopher luxon, max harris, janet wilson, party instability, leadership challenge, NZ Herald
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nationals-electorate-mps-could-fuel-party-instability-janet-wilson-warns-election-2026-the-podcast/5IJLCTDNOJBLHHPC7HBRJAJTZY
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national party, labour party, opportunity party, election 2026, tāmaki, christopher luxon, max harris, janet wilson, party instability, leadership challenge, politics, news
## National’s election results
National’s party vote dropped in every seat compared to 2023.
## Janet Wilson’s warning
Wilson says National’s smaller caucus could fuel party instability and invite leadership challenges.
## Electorate MPs gain power
Electorate MPs now wield more power than list MPs due to no list MPs.
## Max Harris’s view
Harris believes Labour could form government after special votes are counted.
## Tāmaki results
Harris came second in Tāmaki, won by National’s Mahesh Muralidhar.
## Wilson’s analysis
Wilson says National is a hollow straw man with lost urban liberal wing.
## Two sides in National
National has power-for-power’s-sake camp and disillusioned members.
## Opportunity’s role
National may need Opportunity for confidence and supply.
## Labour leadership
Labour leader Chris Hipkins may face leadership questions if no government.
## Leadership challenge
Wilson expects leadership challenge against Luxon in medium term.
## Centrist disillusionment
Centrist vote shifting to Opportunity as National loses urban support.
## Special votes timeline
Special votes not fully counted until November 27.
## National’s hollow state
National has lost half senior front seats and a quarter of party vote.
## Kieran McAnulty
Kieran McAnulty seen as Labour’s frontrunner for leadership.
## Election 2026 podcast
Election 2026 podcast features Wilson and Harris discussing National’s future.
## What happens next
National may face leadership challenge and Labour could form government.
## Key takeaway

National’s electorate MPs may cause party instability after election, with Janet Wilson warning of leadership challenges and Labour’s potential government.