Today, on the waterfront in Wellington, flanked by TOP signs, /u/silicon_based_life, also known as Silicon, announced a revival of The Opportunities Party, or TOP. Silicon, in regards to TOP policy, stated that “our policy still comes from the best roots we could bring it up from”. Silicon went on to introduce his deputy, former Reform-turned-independent /u/Timewalker102 and Northland MP. /u/Deladi0, former Northland MP and Labour member also would be joining the party. A ‘special announcement’ from Timewalker102 has been widely speculated to be a resignation from his Northland seat, triggering a by-election. (Editor: This was written before the Northland by-election was announced. Timewalker102 did resign, and will be standing in the upcoming by-election) Silicon announced he would be contesting the Whanganui by-election, announcing he’d be moving back home to Taupō, and using the by-election as an opportunity to announce TOP policy. Can this new TOP party make an impact? With Reform moving further to the right, and National largely missing in action, maybe it can. But on the other hand, there is a sense of the establishment and political opportunism. Both founding members have served in high up government positions. TOP will most likely either break through. or break.
Comments