Roll Call 2015 - Seymour Storms In As Politician Of The Year

Trans Tasman's 11th annual Roll Call has thrown a curve ball this year, ignoring the likes of John Key, Bill English, and Winston Peters to pick its politician of the year from the ranks of the new generation.

When David Seymour was parachuted into Parliament thanks to a deal with National, he became a member of the Govt, leader of a minority party and a new MP all at once. Not much was expected of him - yet he has surprised everyone with his skill, his workload and his ability to do the job of an MMP minor party - help the Govt, but also criticise it and have its own opinions when necessary. Seymour has done all this, and done it tactically, belying his age - 32 - and lack of experience. A worthy winner.

Trans Tasman Political Alert

2015 Politician Of The Year - David Seymour

While not exactly a political novice - he has form in student politics, and stood unsuccessfully twice in Auckland seats before getting elected, as well as being an adviser to then ACT leader John Banks, 32 year old David Seymour is in his first term in Parliament, he is a novice as a party leader, and coalition member. The surprise is how well he has performed, and the degree to which he seems to have made ACT a potential vote winner again. Sure he made the odd “coq” up, but no more than many of his colleagues. He has handled his work with dedication, he is “everywhere” and he is a genuine talent. ACT’s charter school policies could turn out to be one of the successes of the coalition in policy terms and his move to ensure bars could open during the Rugby World Cup showed how in touch he is with public thinking. He gets the nod as politician of the year because he is at the vanguard of a new wave of politicians - starting with a back to basics approach both in electorate and Parliamentary work. He’s doing what a minor party should do under MMP - giving support, but making the Govt’s life difficult as well, and he is also doing it tactically. He has proven he can master the Parliamentary bun fight, now he needs to show he can make his party relevant.

This year the Govt is well into its third term. Has "third termitis" started to set in? To an extent, yes. Some Ministers are looking a bit more tired and out of sorts - Gerry Brownlee for example, while others like Murray McCully appear to have simply burnt out. Some are looking to the future - David Carter looks as though he will be pleased to relinquish the Speaker's chair for a Knighthood and a cushy foreign posting, where he will no longer have to be "selectively deaf," while Tim Groser will also be looking forward to an ambassadorial posting. It leaves the way open for some new people to move into cabinet - we are loath to call it all talent.

Trans Tasman says Labour is still reeling from electoral defeat and the ascension of Andrew Little to the top job. He is battling to get his caucus behind him and to an extent has succeeded, but there are still many within the party's ranks who should be looking to their futures - Clayton Cosgrove, David Cunliffe, David Parker and Trevor Mallard should all be looking for new jobs. As for the minor parties, Peter Dunne the political mercenary is still waiting to see which way the wind will blow, Winston Peters still has his group well under his thumb, while the Greens are coming to terms with a post Russel Norman direction as James Shaw makes an impressive debut in the co-leadership stakes. The Maori Party has been disappointing.

So apart from Seymour, who impressed The Trans Tasman Editors?

Bill English rates an 8 out of 10 and is the best of the National Party MPs -"a foundation for the Govt's success."

John Key slips from 9.5 last year to 7.5 this year, his work overseas and his popularity not withstanding, he has been involved in a series of controversies this year like ponytail gate, and he probably shouldn't have been as close to the All Blacks as he was.

Murray MCully is also an 8 out of 10 for his work overseas. "A strong year for the man which has ended in a hospital bed. He made a massive effort."

Michael Woodhouse, despite his problems with safety definitions also had a good year. "One of the more impressive Ministers sure footed and strong in public appearances."

National's women also rated highly. Paula Bennett gets 7 "has been doing some innovative work behind the scenes, which while not visible to the public, is following in the footsteps of Bill English's style of innovative and careful management."

Amy Adams goes up half a point to 7.5. "We said she'd be one to watch and she has added to that impression."

Ministers who didn't fare so well included Maggie Barry, down a point to 4.5, Nikki Kaye, down a point to 5, Nick Smith,"beaten but unbowed" in his attempts to beat Auckland's housing crisis - down 2.5 points to 5, and Anne Tolley down from 7 to 6. "No real mistakes, but no earth shattering policy decisions either."

On the National backbench Chester Borrows takes a big drop from 6 to 4. "A consistent but unremarkable performer. His career has moved strongly to the side." Speaker David Carter also takes a hit, from 7 to 4. "Gives every indication of disliking the Speaker's role and has been far too pro-Govt."

Paul Foster Bell drops from 3.5 to 2. "Last year we suggested he sharpen up his act. He hasn't."

Mark Mitchell drops from 5 to 2.5 "A good example of why we should have fixed terms for MPs. Has made little impact so far."

On the Opposition side David Cunliffe takes a hit from 6 to 4. "Still trying, but not getting anywhere fast. Should be looking to set something up outside politics." Trevor Mallard drops from 5.5 to 4. "Whispers around the traps claim he won't stand in 2017 and Labour desperately needs new blood."

Andrew Little falls from 7 to 6.5. "He has time to grow into the job, but polls need to move quickly. Needs better advice - is money the problem?" Grant Robertson falls from 6.5 to 4. "Floundering in the finance role with generalised comments exposing his lack of knowledge."

For the Greens Metiria Turei falls furthest from 6 to 4. "Doesn't seem to have fired this year, with co-leader Shaw hogging most of the limelight. Makes you wonder why the Greens bother with the co-leader, one male one female set up."

NZ First's Winston Peters as always is one of the better ranked MPs, but still loses half a point, dropping from 7.5 to 7. "Stealing the Northland by-election from National proves once again his political judgement rarely fails him and he doesn't need pollsters to tell him where the voter sentiments lie."

Ron Mark returned to Parliament hoping to make his way to the top with an eye on Winston's job. He rated 3.5 this year "Has aspirations for the top job, but Winston is seeing a lot of Shane Jones these days."

For the record:

National had 5 MPs increase their score, 5 stay the same and 33 decrease their score - (15 registered no score last year). 23 of its MPs rated 5 or above, while 36 rated below 5.

Labour had no MPs go up, 4 stay the same and 22 go down - (7 registered no score last year). 9 of its MPs rated 5 or above, while 23 were below 5.

The Greens had 1 MP go up, 5 stay the same and 6 go down. 3 scored 5 or more, while 10 were below 5 (1 MP did not register a score).

NZ First had 3 MPs boost their scores 2 go down, while 2 rated 5 or above and 9 rated below 5.

The Maori Party's MPs were both ranked below 5 and 1 went down.

United Future's 1 MP went down and ranked below 5

ACT's 1 MP ranked above 5 but didn't register a comparative score last year.

To download The Trans Tasman Political Alert 2015 Roll Call click here

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