The beginning of a power struggle within the National government...

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 15: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key (R) and Minister Stephen Joyce speak to the media after a speech made at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Business Vitality lunch at Pulman Hotel on March 15, 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand. Business leaders joined Prime Minister John Key to hear his views on business and the economy for 2012. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 19: Prime Minister John Key (L) congratulates Finance Minister Bill English after the reading of the budget at Parliament House on May 19, 2011 in Wellington, New Zealand. English discussed cuts to social programmes, partial privitisation of some state owned companies, the creation of 170,000 new jobs by 2015 and the Christchurch Earthquake Recover Fund. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Is there a power struggle beginning in the National Party? The supporters of Bill English and Stephen Joyce beginning to jostle for positions in Cabinet. As things begin to deterioate for the John Key led National Party New Zealand government; even the polls indicate movement downwards, there is the realisation that John Key could resign as prime minister and as a member of parliament before the next elections.

In time we will be able to see who John Key prefers as his successor, Bill English or Stephen Joyce?

Bill English is already the ex-leader of National and is unlikely to get that opportunity again. While Stephen Joyce is the manipulator and political hitman within the National government, does he have the image to become a prime minister? I personally don't think he has what it takes - the backer of somebody else perhaps. The old bull and the new young bull? It definately won't be a heifer in the National Party.

If John key reads the political climate in a couple of years and sees the blue tide beginning to go out, he will be off and past Phil Goff. Much will depend on the success of Labour's new leader, David Shearer. His future is dependant on his ability to take a broad spectrum of NZ society with him. Time will tell!

PETE'S KIWI WATCH - My place to rant.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012