Analysis: Christmas is coming and so is a coalition deal. Political editor Jessica Mutch McKay weighs up the best candidate for one of the biggest political baubles – deputy prime minister.
The biggest bauble this side of Christmas is up for grabs and that is the role of deputy prime minister.
The scrap over who will get the job is being thrashed out right now and it will be a prize for whoever secures it.
We got the biggest hint about how Prime Minister-elect Christopher Luxon was leaning when he played down the deputy role yesterday, calling it largely “ceremonial”.
That’s a sign he’s dampening it down as a prize, perhaps hoping to give it to National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis or maybe ACT leader David Seymour. New Zealand First’s Winston Peters would hate it being described as ceremonial.
The deputy prime minister role is usually shopped around to smaller coalition parties and is a role that National could easily trade. The trouble this time is there are two coalition partners.
Willis said today she's not in the race to be deputy prime minister.
But she would be the best option for Luxon.
She could easily step in on Thursdays to cover his absence during question time. Traditionally, Prime Ministers travel to the regions on Thursdays and aren’t in Wellington.
Luxon has made big promises to lock in a Free Trade Deal with India so chances are he will be on an overseas trip sooner rather than later.
Willis is experienced in the house, quick on her feet and is across the details on a range of topics. She’d toe the party line and it would be drama-free option for being in charge while Luxon is overseas.
Statesman-like Seymour?
But Seymour also makes a good point - as the leader of the largest coalition partner, he should be the deputy. Peters is the perfect example of that previously being the case.
Seymour has demonstrated his ability to step into statesman mode during these coalition negotiations.
He’s been the best communicator and, at times, the only communicator. He’s a quick study and retains information.
He would have to change his style in the house on Thursdays if he was to be the acting Prime Minister but we’ve seen him do that. He’s also quick on his feet which helps when you are answering questions on a range of topics.
Seymour has constantly said he’s not interested in the baubles of office; he’d rather have policy wins. But this would be a big bauble.
Peters, on the other hand, has done it all before. He’s held the deputy prime minister title and knows what it’s all about.
Peters likes the rough and tumble of the debating chamber. He may not have done it for a few years, but his muscle memory will be strong. He’s also someone who steps gracefully into statesman mode when needed and thrives on the ceremony of such a position.
If Peters winds up with the Foreign Affairs portfolio, he would be away from the debating chamber a lot but it would give him added mana on the world stage. It would also be a big win for New Zealand First to secure, considering ACT is the bigger coalition player.
Then there’s the chance of co-deputy prime ministers. Now wouldn’t that be interesting.
Either way, Luxon will soon be announcing this big political bauble. Let’s hope it’s well in time for Christmas.
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