National Leader Simon Bridges says the Government's decision to extend the level 4 lockdown will "no doubt see a rise in mental health problems and stress related illnesses".
National leader Simon Bridges has received public backing from his deputy this morning, after rumours his leadership was on shaky ground following a controversial Facebook post.
Bridges has been forced to defend himself after facing a flurry of online fury over the post about the Government's decision to extend thelevel 4 lockdown.
The Facebook post has attracted more than 16,000 reactions – many of them negative - and the Opposition leader has been facing speculation from some in the media that his job might be on the line.
National's deputy leader Paula Bennett denied reports on Wednesday that she might be lining up with Mark Mitchell to take over the leadership.
"I get people are bored & looking for entertainment but false speculating on the leadership of the Nat party has no factual basis," wrote Bennett on Twitter. "Can't believe a tweet from a known stirring leftie is getting any pick up! Move on, we back Simon. We have a health crises & an economy to fix."
I get people are bored & looking for entertainment but false speculating on the leadership of the Nat party has no factual basis. Can’t believe a tweet from a known stirring leftie is getting any pick up! Move on, we back Simon. We have a health crises & an economy to fix
He said if the Government had done more work while the country was in lockdown, there would be no need for it to be extended.
"I now worry that the harm of staying in lockdown will be greater than if we were to come out," he said in the post.
Simon Bridges is still pulling 1000 comments per hour on his post. Here are the most recent. They're coming in faster than anyone can read them, and anything up for more than a few hours has the sort of engagement numbers you can't buy even if you want to. It's incredible pic.twitter.com/XTT8n8n8PZ
"I'm sure many Kiwis feel frustration that we still can't do many things Australians have done through the entire lockdown period, at great cost in terms of jobs and livelihoods, with similar health outcomes.
"I now worry that the harm of staying in lockdown will be greater than if we were to come out. We will no doubt see a rise in mental health problems and stress-related illnesses."
Some of the commenters claimed to be National supporters who have given up supporting the party because of Bridges' leadership.