PM's Press Conference 01/02/17: Election Date Announced

Prime Minister Bill English began today’s press conference with an announcement that the general election will be held on Saturday 23 September. He went on to highlight the strengths of the National government and indicate which parties he will and will not work with should his government be re-elected. Mr English will give a speech tomorrow, which will focus on himself as a person and leader, and what drives him.

The Prime Minister was asked if he would be willing to work with the NZ First Party, to which he replied that it is not likely but he is not “ruling in or out” anything at this point. Other questions included what the English-led government would campaign on, employment and wages, family benefit package, and how the government plans to spend the surplus. Immigration was a dominant topic with questions about the growing population, “skilled migrants”, and the inevitable comments on President Trump’s “travel ban” for those from certain countries. Mr English stated that it is the government’s job to protect its citizens. A member of the press brought forth a quote from 2005 where English commented on an incident involving an alleged terrorist. Back to the election, PM English insisted that he will not work with Labour or the Green Party, stating that they are too leftist and the Greens are “too ideological.”

© Scoop Media