'It's not a matter of moral authority' - Bill English graciously accepts election defeat despite National's top vote tally

October 19, 2017

Winston Peters has thrown his support behind a Labour-led government with Jacinda Ardern as PM.

A relaxed and gracious Bill English has fronted the media to concede election defeat, denying National had any "moral authority" to govern despite receiving the most votes by a considerable margin on election day. 

Mr English said whether he stayed on as leader of the National Party was a matter for the party to discuss over the next few weeks "among ourselves".

Asked whether a two party coalition between National and New Zealand First should have been formed because it would have been more cohesive government, Mr English would not be drawn.

"That opportunity was there and I think many of the people who supported us expected that might follow through," Mr English said.

Despite losing the top job, Mr English was happy to offer his replacement some advice.

"But as I said earlier on after the election, it's not a matter of moral authority, it's a matter of taking on the responsibility of forming a government and we've not been successful in that. 

"New Zealand has a way of adapting these things, it's an unusual result for an MMP.

"There probably hasn't been a party anywhere in the world that got 44.5 per cent of the vote and didn't win the election but we all know the rules, we play by them.

"We campaign according to those rules and this is the result, the result is the government has changed.

"That's a legitimate, fair result of the election campaign, we certainly accept it and I'm sure New Zealanders will, they'll get up in the morning and go off to work and look forward to a new government."      

Winston Peters ends National's nine year reign as Government in sensational fashion.

The National Party received 44.4 per cent of the vote, 56 seats, compared to Labour's 36.9 per cent, 46 seats, and New Zealand First's 7.2 per cent, nine seats.

Mr English did however touch on the strength the National Party would wield in opposition.

"We will be by far the strongest opposition party the parliament has ever seen because almost one in two New Zealanders did support us," he said.

Asked whether Mr English though it was reasonable for himself and Jacinda Ardern to find out New Zealand First's coalition choice at the same time as the rest of the nation, the National leader was unfazed.

"Look I think that's a bit of a detail, the fact is the result's clear, we accept that result and I hope all New Zealanders, including those who supported us wish the new government well," he said.   

SHARE ME

More Stories