Nat. reshuffle ‘a non-event’

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 9

Nat. reshuffle ‘a non-event’

The National Party’s caucus reshuffle was a non-event and would not strengthen the Opposition’s chances of regaining public support, said Mr Bert Walker, chairman of the Sunday Club. The promotion of Mr McLay’s supporters would only further divide the caucus and the move was probably influenced by the party president, Mrs Sue Wood, and the party

executive, he said. “I think it is disappointing that the reshuffle does not acknowledge the wishes of grassroots members of the party or those who put up the money to keep the party afloat,” he said. Mr Walker said the Sunday Club did not necessarily wish to see Sir Robert Muldoon return as party leader but it could not understand why a per-

son of his experience and popularity was not on the front bench. The demotion of Mr George Gair and the failure to make the member of Parliament for Fendalton, Mr Philip Burdon, the spokesman on trade and industry would also not lead to a more effective caucus, he said. However, Mr Walker said that the biggest problem faced by the National

Party was not the caucus but its party organisation. He repeated calls for the removal of the party’s president, Mrs Sue Wood, and its general director, Mr Barry Leay. The Sunday Club would continue to try to work through the party structure to build a more effective National Party, in spite of the fact that the party ignored its efforts, he said.