Opinion: Bridges the balance National needs

Simon Bridges may provide the balance National needs to succeed. Photo/File

The battle for the country's two top jobs is heating up.

Earlier this week Jonathan Coleman, Judith Collins and Bill English declared they were in the running to become prime minister and yesterday our very own Tauranga MP Simon Bridges announced he would run to be deputy under Bill English. Soon after, Paula Bennett announced she too would be running for deputy.

Bridges has been Tauranga MP since 2008 and since then he's held numerous portfolios, most recently and most notably, as Minister of Transport.

As far as Tauranga is concerned, he's been relatively effective on the transport front. In his time we've seen the Tauranga Eastern Link built, Route K transferred to the Government and work begun on the Maungatapu underpass and the Bayfair to Baypark flyover.

He's certainly an up-and-coming leader on the political front and, in my opinion, has skills and traits that would complement the likes of Bill English.

English is a stable, safe pair of hands. He's been overseeing the country's finances for many years now and knows the inner workings of the Government. But, he's already had one crack at leading the party - National suffered it's worst electoral defeat with him at the helm, and lacks the charisma and relatability Key had.

Bridges, however, is much more relatable and has more of the down-to-earth Kiwi bloke persona that made Mr Key so successful. His relative youth may also help the party gain some of the elusive younger vote.

That said, he has a tough battle on his hands with Paula Bennett also a strong contender for the deputy position. She has perhaps a higher profile than Bridges and is also a strong, fairly relatable personality.

I think both candidates could provide the balance needed for National, under the leadership of English, to do well at next year's election.

However, as a Tauranga resident, I'm rooting for our local man.

He may be less accessible to locals as deputy prime minister but he would certainly have the power to affect change in our community.