English wins as Boag walks the plank

By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter

Michelle Boag's announcement last night that she will resign as National Party president today completes a private understanding she reached with leader Bill English immediately after the election.

And it will be greeted with a sigh of relief from many in the party.

There are deep differences over her role in the party's worst election result, 20.93 per cent of the vote.



She is likely to be replaced by central North Island divisional chairwoman Judy Kirk, who works in the Taupo office of list MP Georgina te Heuheu.



Mr English last night said he respected Ms Boag's decision.

"Michelle has been a hard working member of the National Party for many years and has always had the best interests of the party at heart."



Senior MPs expect arch-critic Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson to be gradually rehabilitated back into the caucus after being demoted following his fierce public criticism of Ms Boag's performance.

It is believed Mr English made it clear that Ms Boag could not stay in her job for long, but she was not prepared to go while critics were publicly calling for her head.

She agreed to announce that she would not stand for re-election next year and to go to regional party meetings so members could vent their feelings over the disaster.

And, as reported three weeks ago in the Herald, she agreed to step down if Mr Williamson stayed quiet for long enough before the end of August, when the election review team was due to complete its report.

She wanted to avoid the appearance of being forced to resign.

The review team will present its report today to the management board. Ms Boag will resign at the end of the meeting.



Last night, she said she did not know what the report would say.

"I think this is a natural point to move forward.

"In terms of the jobs that need to be done from here on, I think it would be good for a new person to pick that up."



Ms Boag said there had been "overwhelming pressure" for her to stay, and the decision to resign had been difficult.

She said that if she had to do the job again, she would do things differently. But she would not say what changes she would make.

She said her relationship with Mr English was "very good".



Asked about Mr Williamson's attacks, she said: "When people make personal attacks, sometimes it would be wise to think about the effect of those attacks, not just on the person or the party but the families and those that are involved."

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