If National wins ...

[Sgt Pepper]

I see that no government minister or MPs would meet with the delegation from Hong Kong. Of course denials in Parliament today that any pressure was exerted from any external source.

[GTM 3442]

Im hearing that Key has had enough too and that he will leave after the next election; win or lose.

It's getting to being too late for Mister Key to step aside before the 2017 election. I think that he'd rather like to win four elections on the trot. One up on all but one Prime Minister.

But I think that he'd really dislike losing one. And that if he thought that he'd lose, he'd "step aside before the election to let new talent come through"

So if he's leading National into the 2017 election, I think it's a sign that he is has confidence in a National victory.

A practical prediction, based on the practical judgement of a practical politician.

[elZorro]

It's getting to being too late for Mister Key to step aside before the 2017 election. I think that he'd rather like to win four elections on the trot. One up on all but one Prime Minister.

But I think that he'd really dislike losing one. And that if he thought that he'd lose, he'd "step aside before the election to let new talent come through"

So if he's leading National into the 2017 election, I think it's a sign that he is has confidence in a National victory.

A practical prediction, based on the practical judgement of a practical politician.

Sure..meanwhile Andrew Little is looking more and more like a Prime Minister in waiting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p05hUsPfZjQ

[winner69]

It's getting to being too late for Mister Key to step aside before the 2017 election. I think that he'd rather like to win four elections on the trot. One up on all but one Prime Minister.

But I think that he'd really dislike losing one. And that if he thought that he'd lose, he'd "step aside before the election to let new talent come through"

So if he's leading National into the 2017 election, I think it's a sign that he is has confidence in a National victory.

A practical prediction, based on the practical judgement of a practical politician.

Isn't his future guided by his 'mentors' in the US

[fungus pudding]

Sure..meanwhile Andrew Little is looking more and more like a Prime Minister in waiting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p05hUsPfZjQ

Obviously these things are subjective. In your case it's wishful thinking. To most I am quite sure he doesn't look like a P.M in waiting, and he sure as hell doesn't sound like one.

[artemis]

Sure..meanwhile Andrew Little is looking more and more like a Prime Minister in waiting....

Not sure I would say 'more and more', but perhaps 'a bit more'. In any case, he has a decent shot at getting to be PM in 2017. The election is not a done deal by any means and a few missteps on one side but none on the other could make a difference.

[fungus pudding]

Not sure I would say 'more and more', but perhaps 'a bit more'. In any case, he has a decent shot at getting to be PM in 1017. The election is not a done deal by any means and a few missteps on one side but none on the other could make a difference.

Whoever becomes P.M.in 2017 will depend on Winston First. I can't imagine Peters bothering with the Labour/Green mob.

[Sgt Pepper]

Whoever becomes P.M.in 2017 will depend on Winston First. I can't imagine Peters bothering with the Labour/Green mob.

I guess it may depend on how willing National are to agree to Winstons demands. We recall Bill English's observations in 2008 that despite being opposed to Working for Families and wishing to sell Kiwibank he would have to compromise and "swallow a few dead rats" to attain power. It remains to be seen if his appetite for dead rats will be as intense in 2017. For one thing we can be sure, Winstons dead rats will be numerous and large.

[GTM 3442]

Isn't his future guided by his 'mentors' in the US

No,winner, I don't think it is.

I think that he's guided by personal ambition. I don't think that he'd be willing to lead National into an election which he thought he would lose.

As for his party, well since the demise of mass membership and mass participation, I'm inclined to think that it's the party which will "follow the money".

[elZorro]

Not sure I would say 'more and more', but perhaps 'a bit more'. In any case, he has a decent shot at getting to be PM in 2017. The election is not a done deal by any means and a few missteps on one side but none on the other could make a difference.

Point taken, Andrew still has some way to go, but he's warming up.

Talk about missteps:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...de-women-blurt