Since the 2005 election, when it ran on a platform of denying climate change and withdrawing from Kyoto, the National party has gone to a lot of trouble to reposition itself in line with public opinion as wanting to act on climate change. Unfortunately, it seems that some of their senior MPs haven't got the memo yet. TVNZ reports that transport spokesperson Maurice Williamson and associate finance spokesperson Lockwood Smith have been telling audiences in private that they do not believe in climate change. When questioned on the matter, they followed John Key's script of refusing to give a straight answer.
Why does it matter what these two relics from the 90's believe? Because both will have significant responsibilities for formulating and implementing climate change policy in any future National government. Transport is a major source of emissions, while the ETS comes under the finance portfolio. While government policy is decided by cabinet consensus, both will be in a position to act as significant gatekeepers on policy direction, by deciding policy analysis priorities and what advice gets presented to Cabinet. But it's also not the only example - National has a long-history of being two-faced on climate change and of MP's pimping denial and supporting the coal industry. So it calls into question their credibility on climate change issues. Sure, National tells the public they'll act strongly on climate change (despite their policy being pathetically weak) - but how much credibility can it have when senior spokespeople are privately telling their supporters that it's all a lie? The answer, I think, is "none at all".
