Finance role a rich prize for Selwyn M.P.

Press, 14 September 1987, Page 20

Finance role a rich prize for Selwyn M.P.

Ruth Richardson’s third attempt to be National’s deputy leader appeared to be another defeat, but BRENDON BURNS of our political staff suggests the member for Selwyn has secured a greater prize — the National Party’s future direction.

acted to ensure he got the deputy of his choice. But Miss Richardson and her supporters also knew that a greater prize was at stake. When the Young Nationals’ chairman vented his spleen about the choice of deputy, the member for Selwyn coolly replied that she intended to ensure he was wrong to say the gutless old guard had won the day. Not only is she an astute enough politician to know that there is a time and place to express anger, she was also aware that if she had taken the deputy’s position, she would have stood no chance of gaining responsibility for finance. Mr Bolger could not have countenanced the ambitious Miss Richardson both as his deputy and as the party’s spokesperson for the all-important finance portfolio. That would have left him so little of the political centre-stage that he would be likely to soon be pushed off it But Don McKinnon has proclaimed he will be a deputy who keeps everything “watertight and secure,” allowing the leader to stomp up and down the country selling National’s message. Minding the shop for Mr Bolger is not a role Miss Richardson would have worn comfortably. Some M.P.S were adamant they could not work with her and that she had to be stopped. Even Mr McKinnon accepted some of his support was more “anti-Ruth than pro-Don.” “I’m sure that people voted for me as the lesser of two evils,” he said. But Miss Richardson’s opponents in the caucus may have fasttracked her political career. Mr Bolger was indeed- bold in appointing her to head a team of four in the finance area, even if it was also an additional lever to assist the election of his preferred deputy. He has achieved the greatest possible unity in the caucus with the move. The McKinnon camp secured the deputy’s job and was appeased; Miss Richardson’s

Humble pie and facial eggs were being shared by journalists and politicians alike at the end of a week of change in the National Party last week. The closeness of the contest for National’s deputy leadership encouraged this journalist to pick Miss Ruth Richardson as a winner. Within minutes of Mr McKinnon being announced as the deputy, the Government’s publicity machine was cranking out the press statements, declaring National’s old guard had won the day. The Minister for State Corporations, Mr Richard Prebble, a self-confessed Natwatcher, said his opponents had a death wish. “After all the rhetoric about a bold new start, Natlbnal has opted for one of the old boys again.*’ The chairman of the Young Nationals, Mr Craig Allan, spoke of a "gutless” decision and predicted two more terms in Opposition before National won an election In fact, Miss Richardson very nearly did win the deputy’s job. But at least one long-time supporter changed his vote, having been bluntly told that some caucus members would not work with her. Also, the rural North Island M.P. was told Miss Richardson would get the finance spokesperson’s job. This sealed his vote in favour of Don McKinnon, along with those of one or two others in the caucus. It is the leader of the party, Mr Jim Bolger, who decides the allocation of responsibilities. He was adamant that he had remained distant from the contest for the deputy’s positon. However, his confidant and strategist, Mr Bill Birch (Maramarua) played a pivotal role in securing Mr McKinnon’s majority of 21 votes to Miss Richardson’s 18. He was called in on the eve of the vote and used his knowledge of the scheduled new caucus line-up to pull in wavering voters. It can only be assumed that Mr Bolger was aware of Mr Birch’s actions — and therefore

camp saw her and supporters, Mr Simon Upton (Raglan) and Mr Doug Kidd (Marlborough), in finance, along with Mr McKinnon.

The only dissenting voice is that of Sir Robert Muldoon, who quite correctly sees the appointments as signalling a shift to the Right for National. He has vowed to fight this and attempt to ensure mainstream policies are followed; but he will have his work cut out for him.

The feeling that Miss Richardson is too extreme was part of the reason her bid to be deputy was unsuccessful. Some M.P.S feel National must remain in the middle of the political spectrum, waiting for Rogemomics to fail and then collect the votes. But it is likely that a majority will support Miss Richardson’s attempts to steer the party to the Right and to accuse Rogernomics of faltering only because it did not go far enough. She has already signalled that her two main targets will be Government spending and the labour market.

Tackling these issues, with the guiding zeal of purist philosophy, will inevitably affect the thrust of all National’s policies. Miss Richardson has indicated, for example, that she finds little favour with intervening to assist beleagured provincial areas. The key to revival lay with over-all economic policy, she said.

She will take her education policy ideals of maximum choice and individual responsibility into other social areas. Mr Upton will have a key role with his position as Associate Finance spokesman (Social Policy). An M.P. who sought support for Miss Richardson’s attempt to be deputy said yesterday that Miss Richardson had really won the greater prize with her finance appointment. She had, he said, the second most powerful position in the National Party after Mr Bolger. That must be pleasing for Miss Richardson, for the time being at least