LINDSAY MITCHELL: A way forward

Michael, Don and Rodney are my friends. Over the years, each encouraged and supported my welfare reform advocacy. Each is a conviction politician. They believe in a better New Zealand. 

But in 2021 they were being sidelined, if not shafted, by mainstream media. My response was a site where each could have free rein. When I broached the idea of Bassett, Brash & Hide, to my utter delight they agreed. I created the site and have run it since.

But time moves on.

Since announcing the end of BB&H, reader feedback - via comments and direct to the site - is strongly in favour of a continuation, at least until election 2026. But it can't happen under the same banner.

The good news is, Don Brash is not retiring. And I don't think he ever will. He is tireless, has the upmost integrity and I only wish he'd had his shot at being our Prime Minister.

Don is reluctant to "kill what we have built up over the last few years" and has suggested that we continue the blog under the title of Brash & Mitchell.

It seems a little preposterous to me. Although I have been blogging for twenty years, I don't have the profile or standing of a Michael Bassett or a Rodney Hide.

But in the interests of keeping the site going until what is going to be a crucial 2026 election, I will humbly accept his proposal.

The appearance of the site will change accordingly but we will continue to publish articles from a variety of sources and submitters. We may even get the odd guest column from Michael or Rodney if the mood takes them.

Expect a short period when the site is down as the necessary updates are undertaken. WIX has also announced that the 'forum' function on blogs will cease to operate from March 1 but that should not affect the ability to comment.