One by one ...

As everyone in the media gets excited about the prospect of a Phoenix-like rise from the ashes from Winston Peters, his footsoldiers are dropping one by one. Peter Brown has already flagged away the prospect of returning, and now Ron Mark has announced that he's cut his ties with Winston First. The Herald reports:

When asked if Mr Peters' apology was warranted, Mr Mark paused for a lengthy period before answering:

"I think it's always important to acknowledge mistakes you have made.

"To me it's irrelevant right now. I'm out."

He said he was formally still a member of NZ First, because he had taken up a multi-year subscription and was unsure when it expired.

"But I'm not active. I've made no commitments to anyone on anything. I'm taking time out and enjoying doing the work I've been doing as a political commentator and speaking quite independently ... I'm doing what suits Ron Mark these days."

That last statement is almost Winstonesque! But seriously, apart from Peters, Ron Mark might have been the only chance that NZ First had of returning to Parliament. His departure from the party certainly leaves the Peters Party very short on political experience, and highly reliant on its founder.

Then again dear readers, this is Winston Peters we're talking about. Perhaps he's not too unhappy today ...