National's newly selected finance spokesperson says not campaigning in his own electorate of Epsom, thereby handing the seat to ACT Party leader David Semour, doesn't sting.
The Epsom deal between National and ACT is what allows Seymour to retain his seat in Parliament, despite his party only receiving 0.5 percent of the vote in the last election.
- Paul Goldsmith deflects claims of Epsom coup
- ACT's future looks shaky as Simon Bridges noncommittal about Epsom deal
Speaking to Newshub Nation on Saturday, Paul Goldsmith said he isn't a fan of the MMP system which allows the Epsom deal to take place, but he'll follow his party's lead.
"We've got one partner in the ACT Party. That’s worked pretty well for us, and there were two elections, which I came in, in 2011 and 2014 where National got back with a one-seat majority."
"That's how MMP works. It's a funny system. I never voted for it. I don't like it, but that's what we've got."
Goldsmith says he doesn't need to be the officially elected MP for Epsom to play that part in his community.
"I've always, of course, lived in the electorate and made sure that the people there actually end up with two MPs, and I'm as out-and-about and as active as I can be."
Goldsmith became Nationals finance spokesperson after a surprising announcement from Amy Adams that she would retire from political life following the next election, and would be surrendering her shadow Cabinet roles immediately.
Watch the video for the full interview.
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