Following his appointment on Saturday, Seymour took the reins from Winston Peters and highlighted Act’s transformation from the lows of the 2014 election to its current position in government.
Recalling what he termed as “the wicked old days,” Seymour spoke of the challenges Act faced when support was at a mere 1 percent, finances were strained, and survival seemed uncertain. Despite the odds, Seymour expressed gratitude to loyal supporters, volunteers, donors, and former party leaders, with special mention of John Banks’ role in stabilizing the party and the unwavering support of figures like Lindsay Ferguson and Dame Jenny Gibbs.
In a thinly veiled jab at the Opposition, Seymour asserted that Act was Labour’s worst nightmare, drawing parallels between early political struggles and the experience of being a long-shot contestant on Dancing with the Stars.
Emphasizing Act’s contributions to the coalition government, Seymour highlighted key policy areas such as firearms law, property rights, health and safety reform, and education that the party’s MPs have been actively involved in.
Closing his speech, Seymour reaffirmed Act’s commitment to its founding principles, quoting Edmund Hillary by saying, “This today is only base camp.”
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