ROGUE NATIONAL MP IS SHOWN THE DOOR AFTER CAUCUS VOTE

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000753 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR D (FRITZ),EAP/FO, AND EAP/ANP NSC FOR VICTOR CHA SECDEF FOR OSD/ISD LIZ PHU PACOM FOR J01E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV NZ SUBJECT: ROGUE NATIONAL MP IS SHOWN THE DOOR AFTER CAUCUS VOTE ¶1. (SBU) The leader of the National Party, Dr. Don Brash, has shocked the political establishment by announcing that outspoken National MP Brian Connell has been suspended from National's caucus after a secret ballot. At a caucus meeting two weeks ago, Connell challenged Brash over his alleged affair with a businesswoman - a confrontation which was leaked to the media. Connell is suspected being the source of the leak, which he denies. Although Brash said that there is no evidence to prove that Connell was the leak, his public comments after that caucus meeting confrontation was the final straw after years of "destructive behavior" (Connell often publicly criticized Brash and his policies). ¶2. (SBU) A former National Minister who represented Connell's constituency has told post that National supporters there have had enough of Connell and his badmouthing of the party. Suspension from caucus is a serious step to be taken against an MP. Connell can no longer be assigned any tasks by the party whips, and will be out in the cold in Parliament. Brash said he believed he could rely on Connell's vote in Parliament. Yet, given the number of differences Connell has had with his leader, his vote cannot be guaranteed. ¶3. (SBU) Connell said he was shocked by the move and apparently received no prior warning. He would not comment on his political future. He did say that he was not considering quitting Parliament and forcing a by-election in his South Island country electorate or leaving the National Party (he remains a National MP and could conceivably return to caucus) to become an independent. He does, however, refuse to rule anything out. At a time when Labour is on the ropes in the polls and in Parliament, it will welcome this problem for National with opened arms. Expect Labour to dine out on it as the media focus moves from it to National - for the time being. McCormick