With no new policies to fall back on, National has become trapped in an endless cycle of just opposing anything the Government says. Jason Walls asks, is it time for a circuit breaker?

By Jason Walls

Riddle me this – what does the National Party stand for?

Over the last nine months we have heard a lot of things from the Nats.

They have told us they are the largest opposition in New Zealand’s history – they have 56 MPs in Parliament, compared to Labour’s 46.

They have told us they are united and strong. Indeed, looking at National now compared to the aftermath of some of their other election defeats, this rings true.

But what National, under Simon Bridges, has become most associated with is being an opposition of opposition.

Sure, by its very nature this is the job of the Opposition Party and criticising them on this factor alone is unfair.

But aside from clashing with the Government on seemingly all and every matter – as well as a few areas of direction change within the party – there is not a lot more National has on show.

This week, it unveiled its first policy – kind of.

Press secretary’s from the leader's office informed journalists that Bridges would be holding a press conference in National’s caucus room on its new medicinal cannabis bill.

The room was packed with staffers and National MPs who lined every corner of the room. Bridges entered, flanked by MPs Michael Woodhouse, Shane Reti and Chris Bishop, and stood in front of the familiar National Party blue backdrop.

Only a handful of journalists were there waiting.

That’s because National’s bill will be put in the ballot box, along with 69 other bills from various MPs. From there it’s pretty much up to lady luck to see if it will get drawn.

Meanwhile, the Government’s own medicinal cannabis bill is likely to pass regardless of National’s opposition.

A three-year plan

In absence of any new policy announcements to fall back on, National has cemented itself as an opposition of opposition.

This will be worrying for Bridges. Voters get tired of negativity. If every time you’re on the six o’clock news you’re having a crack, people will get fatigued.  

And this is unlikely to change anytime soon given Bridges’ plan for the years leading up to the 2020 election.

Speaking to media this week, he revealed his three-point plan for National.

Year one: Listening to stakeholders and “throwing around some ideas people can chew over.”

Year two: It’s now all about “discussion” and formulating more details on some of the party’s ideas.  

Year three: Now it’s time to unveil the policy so “New Zealanders feel they have a real choice in the 2020 election.”

That is a long time to wait to hear about what National’s new plans are.

At midday Sunday, Bridges will be giving the keynote speech at the National Party’s annual conference.

It’s always a big affair, with blue t-shirts, banners and balloons. High ranking current MPs and former ministers alike will be front and centre as Bridges closes off the two-day event.

In the absence of any major policy announcements, it is unclear what Bridges’ speech will be about. He needs to do more than attacking the Government if he wants to get some momentum and traction.

He needs to answer one question and make it clear to all New Zealanders that National is not, in fact, just the Opposition of opposition.

What does the National Party stand for?