Ian McKelvie: Focusing on Opposition role

Ian McKelvie

As you can imagine, I was disappointed with the outcome of the results of party coalition negotiations when they were announced late last week.

However, this is the nature of the MMP election system, and we must accept the decision.

I wish the new government well and congratulate Labour and the Greens on securing a deal with New Zealand First to form a coalition.

At the same time, I'm extremely proud of what Bill English and National achieved at the election, with nearly one in every two New Zealanders backing our party's vision for a stronger economy and a more open and confident nation, while addressing many of the most difficult social issues our country faces.

I am proud to have been a part of a government which, for the past nine years, has delivered for New Zealand and New Zealanders.

New Zealand has an economy that is the envy of the developed world - we have more people in jobs and our regions are growing strongly.

Of course, I remain the Member of Parliament for Rangitikei and I will continue to represent the views of our region in Wellington and to be a strong voice for rural and provincial New Zealand.

I will also continue to be available to my constituents throughout our vast electorate - no matter who they voted for last month - and to advocate for my constituents in their dealings with government agencies and with respect to the parliamentary process.

While we have not achieved government this time, our fight is not over. Our 56 MPs will be the largest and most effective opposition Parliament has ever seen, and we will continue to work hard to ensure that every New Zealander has a voice and that our great country does not go backwards.

As a party, National remains the strongest, most popular and best-organised political party in New Zealand, and it is this unity and strength that we will take into holding the new coalition government to account for the decisions it makes.

Over a million voters put their trust in the National Party at the election; they voted for a confident and aspirational New Zealand. You can be assured that while we accept the outcome, we will use our strength in numbers and we are resolute in our determination to be a strong and unified opposition.