Ryan Bridge: Christopher Luxon backlash and the polling trend that could decide his future
Hating on the media is not a bad strategy. People already distrust it.
It has worked for Winston Peters for decades. He only needs about 10% of voters to like his style. Most find it abrasive.
Ministers are the de facto top brass in caucus. When they line up behind their leader, no vote will topple him. The backbench falls in.
The group calling for a coup looks shambolic like a bunch of disgruntled employees. Think Andrew Bayly and Tim van de Molen.
The only real threat to Christopher Luxon is sustained poor polling. You need a trend to prove that, not one poll.
If a trend emerges where the left bloc can govern, he is done. He would likely fall on his sword at that point anyway.
Yesterday, I had plenty of texts from people on the right. They were raving about Luxon finally standing up for himself and doing something, anything, that looked decisive.
He performed to the base.
But you need more than the base to win an election and form a government.
From here, the next move is crucial. Flood the market with bold economic initiatives and policy ideas.
Luxon has everyone’s attention. How he uses it will determine how long he keeps the job.
Ryan Bridge hosts Early Edition on Newstalk ZB and the Ryan Bridge TODAY breakfast show.
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