Nash's downfall a loss for Labour but not a crisis

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would have been the most harassed person in Parliament yesterday as he first watched one Minister trying to explain her comments in the House and then had to fire another who joined the House at the same time as he did 15 years ago.

Earlier in the day Greens co-leader Marama Davidson was firmly on the backfoot as she underwent what looked like a cross-examination from National MPs about her comment that, “It is white cis men who cause violence in the world.”

Davidson said in effect that she had misspoken when approached by Counterspin shortly after being knocked down by a motorcycle. That did not satisfy National who called on Hipkins to dismiss her.

Hipkins had barely said that Davidson had explained herself and he would not dismiss her when another bombshell broke round him.

News site Stuff published a report that Cabinet Minister Stuart Nash had breached Cabinet confidentiality rules by emailing details of Cabinet discussions to two businessmen who were his donors. Within two hours Nash was gone, summarily sacked from Cabinet.

Hipkins told a press conference: “His conduct is inexcusable. He is no longer a Cabinet Minister and won’t be coming back.”

National Party leader Christopher Luxon, fresh from enjoying Davidson’s discomfort, called for Nash to resign immediately. “He needs to leave tonight, it is that simple,” he said.

Nash had already lost the police portfolio earlier this month for interfering in a police prosecution in 2021, for which he was demoted to the bottom of the Cabinet list and given a final warning.

His once successful political career is over and he will have to stay in Parliament at least until April when he can resign without forcing a by-election for the Napier seat. Nash has said he would not force a by-election which would cost the country $1 million — joining former prime minister Jacinda Ardern who is in the same position.

The whole situation looked like something out of a soap opera and would have left Hipkins infuriated. Since taking over the leadership he has taken the Government back to the point where this year’s election will again be a close one.

A key member of Labour’s small conservative wing has fallen but in the long run it will probably not have a lasting effect on voters. Nash, the great-grandson of a prime minister, has been foolish and headstrong but it is a personal tragedy for one man, not a crisis for the Government.