Editorial: From winner to loser - why does Bill English stay on?

Mark Dawson, editor of Wanganui Chronicle

It is hard not to feel sorry for Bill English.

There he was this week having delivered his "state of the nation" address, but all the interest was in just who was trying to topple him as National Party leader.

He staunchly fended off the rumours of an impending coup, as he may well have to do many more times over the coming months until the game is up.

Stepping into the shoes of the remarkably successful John Key was always going to be a challenge, but it was one he handled better than could have been expected, desperately trying to squeeze himself out from under the former prime minister's shadow.

On election night, September 23, with an impressive 56 seats in the bag, he was paraded, arms aloft, as a winner. Three-and-a-bit weeks later he was a loser.

Life's not fair, and that goes for politics even more. It's a dirty business — just ask Winston Peters.

Bill's socialist policies, his dour but practical approach, his worthy track record as finance minister ... all left in the shade by the radiant smile of Jacinda Ardern, aspirational and charismatic in a way he could never be.

It was his relentless decency against Jacinda's relentless positivity.

There is no reason to think things will change. Jacinda does "caring" much better than Bill. It will take a significant stuff-up by Labour to make him a contender again.

I assumed he would resign when the new coalition government was announced. But no.

Why stay on? Surely there's plenty for him to do down Dipton way ... does he really need the job? As a two-time election loser, this verges on the masochistic.

National need a bright, shiny — young — new face to tarnish Jacinda's saintliness.

The murmurings that "Bill must go" will return and likely get louder. It seems he is just keeping the seat warm, while some up-and-comer waits to seize their moment.