# Senior National MPs downplay outgoing MP's voter hatred claims

> National MPs reject claims voters hate party after election loss.
- Title: Senior National MPs downplay outgoing MP's voter hatred claims
- Summary: National MPs reject claims voters hate party after election loss. National MPs deny voter hatred claims despite losing senior members in election.
- Keywords: national party, election 2026, vanessa weenink, nicola willis, chris bishop, christopher luxon, banks peninsula, labour party, outgoing mp, voter sentiment, NZ Herald
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-senior-national-mps-hose-down-outgoing-mps-claim-of-voters-hatred/HW5DIQTGVNCJ7N5MT5LDE37REY
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national party, election 2026, vanessa weenink, nicola willis, chris bishop, christopher luxon, banks peninsula, labour party, outgoing mp, voter sentiment, politics, news
## Senior National MPs
Two senior National MPs have not been re-elected after the election.
## Outgoing MP Vanessa Weenink
Weenink lost Banks Peninsula seat to Labour after winning it in 2023.
## Weenink's voter claims
Weenink said many voters in her electorate hate National and fear coalition partners.
## Weenink's concerns
Weenink worries party becomes too conservative without liberal MPs.
## Weenink's leadership
Weenink remains behind Christopher Luxon as party leader.
## National's response
National Party campaign chairman Simeon Brown points to winning 42 electorates.
## Erica Stanford's view
Stanford denies hearing similar feedback to Weenink during campaign.
## Nicola Willis
Willis, who didn't run in a seat, says she needed family support for politics.
## Chris Bishop
Bishop narrowly lost Hutt South to Labour's Ginny Andersen.
## Bishop's future
Bishop says he may return to public life but not yet decided.
## Key takeaway

National MPs deny voter hatred claims despite losing senior members in election.