Senior National MPs are considering going to the Prime Minister to tell him to resign, according to 1News, amid growing frustration over a series of recent missteps and what colleagues describe as poor political radar. The internal turmoil arrives as Cabinet ministers and caucus members divide publicly over his leadership ahead of a planned Zoom meeting during the parliamentary recess week.
Internal Caucus Pressures and Cabinet Silence
The mounting discontent stems from what party members view as a string of own goals by Luxon over recent weeks. According to 1News, this friction has prompted discussions among senior National MPs about asking the Prime Minister to step down. Divisions have also surfaced publicly within the executive branch. This evening, Education Minister Erica Stanford and Auckland-based MP Simon Watts refrained from showing support for the Prime Minister when asked by media, choosing to stay silent.
Other lawmakers have offered explicit backing. National’s Southland MP Joseph Mooney and Coromandel MP Scott Simpson have both backed Luxon. Meanwhile, Deputy National leader and Finance Minister Nicola Willis told reporters she has confidence in Luxon, stating, “Yes, and we’ll all have more to say tomorrow.” Mark Mitchell offered more emphatic support, telling media that he has “100% confidence” in Luxon and would “of course” vote to support him in a caucus vote.
Controversial Policies and Low Public Approval Ratings
Luxon is facing renewed speculation over his leadership following several recent gaffes and miscommunications. These include an apparently off-the-cuff commitment to a referendum on the MMP voting system, made during a radio interview without the knowledge of his Cabinet colleagues. He also drew criticism from small business owners over comments that some interpreted as patronising. Cracks have similarly emerged across the three-way coalition of National, ACT, and New Zealand First, with Luxon recently calling comments by Foreign Minister and NZ First leader Winston Peters toward an MP born in China racist.
Public polling has remained low throughout Luxon’s tenure. In the June 1News Verian poll, Luxon’s preferred prime minister rating stood at just 18%, sitting slightly ahead of Labour leader Chris Hipkins at 16%. First-term prime ministers typically record much higher approval ratings. This fresh turbulence follows a previous leadership test in April, when Luxon called and survived a no-confidence motion in his own leadership, declaring at the time that the caucus had answered clearly and decisively by backing him.
Potential Leadership Line-Up and Immediate Next Steps
If Luxon were to lose the support of his colleagues in a caucus vote, The Post has reported that a mooted leadership line-up could include Erica Stanford as prime minister and party leader, with Mark Mitchell as deputy leader. The outlet also reported that Chris Bishop would take over the finance portfolio currently held by Nicola Willis. However, none of the three figures have formally declared a challenge. According to reporting, any potential leadership change hinges entirely on whether Luxon survives the 9:30 am meeting.
Tensions have been exacerbated by anonymous leaks to the media. One anonymous National MP reportedly told media that a leadership change was a matter of when, not if. Addressing reporters this morning, senior National minister Chris Bishop criticized anonymous briefings, calling them “unhelpful and not what caucus members should be doing” and adding, “I would say to them, don’t do it.” Bishop declined to comment directly on questions regarding internal unhappiness with Luxon’s leadership, but confirmed that National would hold a regular caucus meeting by Zoom during the recess week, insisting it was routine rather than a crisis gathering.