Seymour and Collins

The Herald continues to hitch its wagon to David Seymour’s coat-tails. They don’t seem to realise that Seymour is almost entirely an (inadvertent) creation of Judith Collins.

If it weren’t for the fact that Collins is performing so badly as National leader, Seymour would not be noticed. For those interested in arithmetic, his rise in the polls is almost exactly the mirror image of Collins’ decline.

There is little evidence, in other words, that Seymour is doing anything to increase the total right-wing vote; such support as he is gaining is won at National’s expense.

Whether the right as a whole might do better under Seymour’s rather than Collins’ leadership is perhaps debatable. For what it’s worth, I am not convinced. For every right-wing voter who might return to the National fold if someone – anyone – other than Colllns were leader, another would leave, discomforted by Seymour’s far-right position and beliefs.

The Herald may need to think again.

Bryan Gould
16 September 2021