Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

The Prime Minister has abandoned his post. New Zealand First is the only party that can offer both, stable leadership in government and positive change.

Bill English has already had a national referendum on his leadership and was rejected by the country in 2002, with the largest defeat in blue party history. Key is backing a losing horse in supporting his Finance Minister Bill English to be the next Prime Minister.

NZ First Party leader Winston Peters does not believe the reasons given in Key's announcement to be credible. The actual state of the country is clearly much worse than this blue government has been spinning us for the last eight years.

How does a so-called stable leader spring his departure on the country like this? Has he agreed to take up a lucrative position offshore with one of his much-supported multi-national corporations? All we have is conjecture, and a decided lack of care shown for the emotional and economic state of the country.

Key has expended a lot of political capital trying to take Mt Roskill from Labour, after losing Northland to New Zealand First. He tried to spin it as a ‘safe Labour seat' story, after previously calling it a ‘referendum on Andrew Little's leadership'.

No matter what the reasons, Key is going, and New Zealand is now looking for strong leadership, with a change mandate, and the ability to steady the ship of state. We humbly submit that a leader with a proven track record of consistency, and care for the needs of all New Zealanders, with a commitment to positive change, is ready to lead the country, as he has similarly led the party he founded.

No dead wood will be tolerated, we need a straight-talker unafraid to speak the truth whether it's currently fashionable or popular; and everything done with high expectations of himself and all he works with.

We need Winston. New Zealand needs New Zealand First.