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Should Kelvin Davis be Deputy Prime Minister?

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Sun, 25 Oct 2020, 4:49PM
Kelvin Davis and Jacinda Ardern. (Photo / Getty)
Kelvin Davis and Jacinda Ardern. (Photo / Getty)

Should Kelvin Davis be Deputy Prime Minister?

Author
Newstalk ZB ,
Publish Date
Sun, 25 Oct 2020, 4:49PM

A political commentator says not to underestimate Labour's deputy leader Kelvin Davis.

It comes as the question of who will take on the role of Deputy Prime Minister remains unanswered, with Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern waiting for special votes to be counted before confirming her cabinet. 

Davis has come under fire after his speech at Labour election headquarters on Election Night. Minutes before Jacinda Ardern took the stage, Davis recited a confusing, nursery-rhyme type speech, hailing "whaea Jacinda" and slamming defeated National leader Judith Collins.

Many think the job should go to Labour's Finance spokesman Grant Robertson.

But political commentator Shane te Pou told the Weekend Collective the only logical answer is to give the role to Kelvin Davis

"He's an honest fellow. He's straight up. He has huge personal integrity, and I think he'd simply get on with the job."

Regardless, Te Pou says that the role is not as important as the Vice President role is in America as it doesn't have a legal standing, and should the Prime Minister quit, the Deputy does not automatically take over. 

While the Deputy does take over if the Prime Minister is overseas, with borders closed, Te Pou says that won't be a problem any time soon. 

"If the Prime Minister for whatever reason is overseas, the Deputy Prime Minister's role is simply to chair the Cabinet."

Te Pou says that the role was different for Winston Peters due to the makeup of the coalition. 

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