National Plays Follow The (Deputy) Leader
It seems Lockwood Smith has taken a leaf out of Bill English’s book and has decided to use some “loose language” as well. Tonight TV3 released a “secret” recording of Lockwood at National’s conference over the weekend and like English, he too lets the truth slip out. Of particular interest was the following comment he made:
“If you try to do everything differently you’ll scare the horses and under MMP it’s very hard to win.”
So is it simply a coincidence then that John Key announced one of his 10 priorities should he become Prime Minister is to hold a referendum on MMP?
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Bill English Translated
For a party that paints itself as honest, it certainly is strange that the National hierarchy has forced Bill English to apologise for telling the truth. Anyway, we all know Bill doesn’t say what he means in public, so his apology today needs some translating:
What Bill Said: “Statements of mine secretly recorded at a social function last Friday and published over the weekend have caused confusion and concern about National’s policy on Kiwibank and Working for Families”
What Bill Meant: We scared the voters.
What Bill Said: “I did not choose my words well”
What Bill Meant: I told the truth.
What Bill Said: “We have worked for several years to find a better way of allowing families to keep their own income”
What Bill Meant: We tried to come up with our own policies
What Bill Said: “We opted to retain the existing structure because we were not willing to create uncertainty for families under pressure. If we are elected we will work to improve the system for families without reducing entitlements”
What Bill Meant: But Labour’s were too damn good!
What Bill Said: “With respect to Kiwibank, I shouldn’t have made the comments I made. National has had no discussions about Kiwibank and has no plans to sell it”
What Bill Meant: I departed from Crosby-Textor guidelines. Crosby-Textor says National has had no discussions about Kiwibank and has no plans to sell it.
What Bill Said: “Comments I made regarding the complexity of WFF have been construed as criticism of John Key. That is wrong.”
What Bill Meant: John’s really really smart. Honestly!
What Bill Said: “My repeated responses to this question yesterday reflected my determination not to widen the debate – not an attempt to criticize John Key”
What Bill Meant: I was just trying to stick to Crosby-Textor guidelines. Crosby-Textor say John is really really smart. Honestly!
What Bill Said: “I should have made it clear that I meant no such criticism and I’m making that clear today”
What Bill Meant: John’s worried I’ll pull another 2002. I should just have kept lying.
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