This was a special evening meeting to which Christopher Luxon, leader of the National Party, had been invited.
There were twenty members and 65 guests, so a good turnout of members, the highest that we've had since the various lockdowns, and lots of guests, wives, mistresses, various political anoraks, and so on.
As this was an especial meeting there were no presidents announcements, three minute speakers, sargent's session, etc. many members were able to catch up with old friends and some guests were reacquainted with people they hadn't seen for an age. It was good to see the two pollies (Paul Goldsmith was there as well), working the room, glad handing is part of the game.
Opportunity:
There were so many guests it would seem that there is an opportunity for some of them to be invited to ordinary meetings, for example the one on the 11th May, when a mayoral candidate will be strutting his stuff or May 25th when David Seymour will be speaking. The club needs more members as it seems a number have dropped out so - go for it!
The speech
What did Luxon have to say for himself? Well, he started with a brief resume, not only, "I was boss on Air NZ when it won all these awards" but also Luxon, the family man, the father. All good stuff.
Then Luxon the politician. Firstly 'unite the troops' by getting stuck into the present government. Fair enough, he's in opposition so that's required of him. Then what he currently sees as the three major themes for the next election, the economy, law and order and co-governance. Competently done, and without notes so that was pretty good, but no stories. The economy, for a speaker who wants to be remembered, is Mrs Smith not being able to feed the children, law and order is Mr Singh's dairy being ram-raided for the second time and co-governance is your vote being devalued without your rates going down. We don't remember the Sermon on the Mount, we do remember the loaves and fishes, it's a better story.
And he answered three questions with any gaffes, despite the media's attempts to describe him as gaffe prone.
But, as a I wrote, competently done even if it didn't get a standing ovation his comments were well received.
And now we've had the chance to see a prime ministerial contender up close and personal. And there are only 18 months to go - oh bliss!
PS Avis has reminded your humble correspondent that she is looking for tables and chairs for the Grace Foundation. If you think you can help or just would like more information drop Avis a note at avisnelson@xtra.co.nz
