Bridges to quit Parliament ‘in the coming weeks’

National Party finance spokesperson and former leader Simon Bridges has announced he will quit Parliament within weeks.

In a surprise statement issued this morning, Bridges said he would hand his resignation to the Speaker “in the coming weeks”.

“I love the National Party and this year I will have been a proud member for 30 years,” he said.

“For the first time in a while, National is in a good place under Chris Luxon’s leadership with momentum heading into the next election…

“But more important to me than being a politician or a businessman, I’m a partner to Natalie and dad to Emlyn, Harry, and Jemima. This week my oldest two children turn 10 and 8 years old, and I want to be able to give them the best of me.”

Champion for Tauranga

In a statement, Luxon thanked Bridges for his service.

“Simon has been an absolute champion for Tauranga, for New Zealanders, and for the National Party over his 14-year career in Parliament. He was an excellent local MP, minister, leader of the National Party, and colleague.

“Most importantly for me, since I became leader, Simon has been a trusted adviser and confidant. I am going to personally miss his contribution to the National Party caucus.

“I want to pay tribute to Simon’s relentless efforts to make New Zealand a better place – and also thank Natalie, Emlyn, Harry, and Jemima for letting their husband and dad spend so much time away from home to help achieve that goal.

“Simon, go well. I wish you the very best.”

Successor to be announced

Luxon said he would announce a new finance spokesperson in the coming days and the process to select a new candidate to stand for National in the Tauranga by-election would begin in coming weeks.

In a tweet, Bridges’ opposite number Finance Minister Grant Robertson said: “It will be obvious we disagreed on much, but I will miss our exchanges. All the best to him, Natalie, and their whanau.”

More to come.