'Brat pack' script goes down well

By Warren Gamble

National's brat pack - Bill English, Nick Smith, Roger Sowry and Tony Ryall - warmed up for the election campaign yesterday with a tag-team presentation which could become a hustings hallmark.

Auckland audiences, largely invited from health, education and welfare groups, got a taste of the foursome at meetings in Greenlane and Henderson.

They were greeted at the door by the youthful lineup - average age 37 - National hopes will connect with a new generation of voters.

In a 30-minute scripted presentation on social policy, accompanied by a computerised slide-show, the ministers ranged back and forth over their portfolios like tag wrestlers.

Some of the humour also seemed scripted. To an image showing the ministers behind bars on a prison visit, Mr English - the unquestioned leader of the pack - was set up by Mr Ryall to deliver a punchline about being arrested for underage drinking.

As they split to go to two microphones, Mr English said they had trouble deciding who should be on the left and the right.

Maybe the script needs more work.

There was also the common-people touch of talking about their personal interest in the country's wellbeing via an individual tally of their children. They total 11, with Mr English again leading with five (soon to be six), Mr Sowry four and Mr Ryall and Dr Smith one each.

Judging by audience reactions, the format generally went down well.

Several people said it was good just to see four ministers together on one stage discussing how they could better address social problems.

The foursome, who often holiday together, also seemed at ease in their roadshow, which they have taken to Otaki and Christchurch.

Further meetings will be held today on the North Shore and in Otara.

Mr English said the team approach would be continued, but not always with the same players, depending on its effectiveness.

He said that so far the response had been positive, with people reassured they could question or get their message across to four ministers.