Baptism of Fire

Inside Parliament

On this weeks’ 1News Inside Parliament podcast Political Editor Jessica Mutch McKay and Senior Political reporter Benedict Collins discussed an epic week at Parliament with changing leadership fortunes of the National Party. The team gave a blow by blow account of the weeks events from Judith Collins’ late demotion of Simon Bridges to Christopher Luxon’s ascension to the top job. Jessica Mutch McKay also gave an insight into the chaotic look of the coverage as the 1News political team literally chased the story. Benedict Collins talked about the bad political judgement of Judith Collins saying that ‘Not getting caucus onside & demoting Simon Bridges’ was hitting the self-destruct button and that Judith Collins was almost getting things right up until then in terms of polling trends. He said ’The Government’s not had a great couple of weeks but the coverage has been dominated by National’s implosion when it should have been capitalising on the Government’s weaknesses, adding it was real ‘smack your head against the wall stuff from National’. Our reporters also rated Christopher Luxon’s first days as leader including questions over his property portfolio in a housing crisis and religious background. And on the day New Zealand rolled out the new COVID traffic light system, Jess and Benedict discussed where the Government has done well and where it hasn’t. Listen the entire 1News Inside Parliament show on your favourite podcast app.