RICHARD PREBBLE - Simeon Brown: What, me worry?
Simeon Brown on television resembles Alfred E. Neuman, a central character in the old MAD magazine, who cheerfully faced catastrophe with the words, “What, me worry?”
The magazine ran him for President with the slogan, “You could do worse, and always have!”
As campaign chair, Brown is still defending National’s negative campaign.
In the 2023 campaign Brown promised a $24 billion transport programme, including 13 Roads of National Significance costed at an improbable $17.4 billion.
When challenged about the escalating costs of his expanded 17-road programme, Brown responded that there was a “range of estimates”.
Treasury eventually estimated the 17 roads would cost upwards of $56 billion.
Brown has never publicly acknowledged that his programme was not fiscally credible.
Now Brown is being mentioned as a possible Finance Minister.
His ability to defend the indefensible is awesome, but it would be dangerous in a Finance Minister unwilling to acknowledge mistakes and change course.
Brown led his party’s campaign over a political cliff rather than admit that there was anything to worry about. Why would he be any different as Finance Minister?
Richard Prebble is a former Minister and ACT Party leader who writes at I've Been Thinking
Fascinating that you should deride negative campaigns given this site devotes itself almost entirely to negative commentary.
The only realistic option for Minister of Finance is David Seymour.
Actually, Richard, I thought our beloved leader of the Labour Party, the Honrable Chris Hipkins, is a much better fit as a modern day Mr Neuman. However, I could be wrong - Mr Brown might be a better candidate. But then, who really cares? https://www.garymoller.com/post/nz-election-2026-strategic-voting-litmus-test
Just because we wanted Labour out doesn't mean we wanted National in. Richard's commentary illustrates rather well why rejecting one incompetent government should never be mistaken for endorsing another.
Never truer words.
This dissection of the election is great entertainment and we don't have to pay that much for it (?) other than for another seven try hards and others who fit the loser bill.