Toughest six months —Mr McLay

Press, 27 May 1985, Page 6

Toughest six months —Mr McLay

PA Wellington The National Party’s leader, Mr McLay, says he has experienced the “toughest six months ever imposed” on a leader of the party. Mr McLay, who succeeded the former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, as leader after last year’s snap General Election defeat, told the party’s Waikato division conference yesterday that such a change was never easy. “It takes time for caucus, the party and the electorate to adjust to a new style of leadership. But I’m still here and I’m still fighting for the things this party believes in,” Mr McLay said. The last year had been one of the most traumatic the party had endured, with the “hurt and disappointment” of an election defeat, an intensive review of party organisation and last November’s leadership change. But, in a speech that drew a standing ovation from conference delegates and observers, Mr McLay cited a new unity within the party since his election to the leadership. He emphasised the importance of this to the Timaru by-election cam-

paign and, in a veiled reference to the activities of his predecessor, he said “noone, and I mean no-one, has the right to damage this organisation by going off on some frolic of his or her own.” In spite of the impression delegates might have received from recent reports, the party caucus was now working closer than previously in the 10 years he had been a member, Mr McLay said. As well, the caucus was working closer with the party organisation than in the 22 years he bad been a memb' - of the party. Recent public opinion polls had revealed a 5.1 per cent swing to National. To win Timaru, the party needed a 5.6 per cent swing. Timaru had been held by Labour for 57 years and National had not won a byelection for 37 years — “but it’s tantalisingly close,” Mr McLay said. “I took over the leadership of this party to unite us again. My next task is to win the Timaru by-election and then to win the next General Election. “My message to those who seek to divide us is — just try it, and you’ll find you’ve got a real fight on your hands,” Mr McLay said.