Multi-millionaire Owen Glenn has hinted his political aspirations toward becoming an independent MP are very much alive.
In a speech at the BNZ Business Conference this week, Glenn, 72, said he would consider a move into politics if a coalition between National or Labour with NZ First was on the cards for the next election.
"Where will that leave us as a country?" Glenn said. "Maybe someone else has to run on the basis of the current MMP rules ... Why not me?"
Glenn refused to be interviewed on the possibility of a political career yesterday.
However, a spokeswoman said Glenn had believed the speech was subject to Chatham House rules, meaning it would not be reported.
Clearly there is no love lost between Mr Glenn and Mr Peters, the beneficiary of the former's generosity over THAT donation. And equally clearly, Owen Glenn has a long memory.
Here's hoping that Peters takes Owen Glenn's hint, and retires from Parliament before the next election. Whether or not a succession plan is in place for NZ First is anyone's guess, although both Shane Jones and John Tamihere have been mentioned in dispatches.
But we're not surprised that Owen Glenn is going to do whatever it takes to ensure that Winston Peters never again enjoys the baubles of office or the ability to govern or hold the country to ransom with his brinksmanship. It has taken a while, but Owen Glenn obviously subscribes to the theory that revenge is a dish best served cold.
14 comments:
John Key has indicated that he'd invite Winston on board at the next election. He must have had a change of heart because he used to say Winston was an Untouchable. Soon you'll be singing Winston's praises too Keeping Stock!
Singing Winston's praises Cyril? Read my lips; N-E-V-E-R; never!
Key might look to deal with NZ First, but it will be a Winstonless NZ First. The venal, xenophobic Peters will never be part of a National-led government.
That's not what Key has said, KS. He's smooching up to Winston, knowing he's going to be critical to any chance that National might have in the next election. Winston has Key by the short and curlies and you too, because you'll have to support Key's romancing of Winston, as the time approaches. I look forward to reading your increasingly favourable posts about the 'misunderstood' Winston Peters.
Don't hold your breath Cyril; on either count.
Winston, venal?
Others use the same word to describe Key.
Theirs is a marriage made in heaven!
Why not him? Well, gee, he's not really at one with the common people now is he? A dodgy billionaire who's lived in Monaco for decades in order to avoid his tax obligations. He flies in every now and again to tell us all how we should run our lives. The only people who would vote for that are the 6 people who support the Libertarianz. Not really a goer. Banks should hit him up for an anonymous donation though. He's just the sort of guy to oblige (as we know).
Labour was happy to take his money Edward. Remember that unsightly scene at Auckland University where Trevor Mallard had to physically stop Glenn getting too close to Helen Clark when news of the donation to Winston (brokered by Labour) broke. The picture is here:
http://keepingstock.blogspot.co.nz/2008/09/introducing-owen-glenn.html
And you might have forgotten this bit too, so just in case let me remind you:
Whatever the glue that once bound them, the unusual Labour-Glenn coupling was falling apart by late last year. Hard questions were asked of Labour about the connections between the gong and pre-election political donations. Next, Glenn revealed he had given Labour an interest-free loan of $100,000 in 2007, a revelation that gave the lie to Labour president Mike Williams' claim there had been no donations from Glenn that year (a gaffe for which Williams offered to resign).
Next, Labour was embarrassed by Glenn's claims to be in the running for that Cabinet post and the Monaco consulship. Then Clark snubbed Glenn horribly at the business school opening in February, using her attack dog Trevor Mallard as a human shield to prevent Glenn getting too close to her.
Was Glenn hurt by all this?
"Of course he was," says Morrison. He believes Glenn was hurt, too, by the lack of loyalty shown by Clark once Glenn's and Peters' differing recollections of events put them on a collision course. When Clark insisted on believing Peters rather than Glenn, she "trampled all over his mana", says Morrison.
Russel Norman on QE on Q&A.
Superb.
He's New Zealand's thinking politician and makes Bill English look and sound like a clod-hopper.
Quite right kermit; he'd be superb at spending Other People's Money, and then printing some more when the first lot ran out.
BTW; did he ever get his flag back?
Bit angry today IV2. All attack, attack, attack. Just relax.
Glenn's embarrassing, and he's unelectable, but he's no Dotcom now is he? I mean you've really gone after one of John Banks' most generous benefactors. He's the devil.
John Tamihere and Shane Jones "mentioned in dispatches" with regard to an NZ First leadership succession..?
Have you been interviewing your keyboard or something?
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