New Nat leader switches from Labour | Stuff.co.nz

National Party chairwoman for the New Plymouth electorate Charlotte Littlewood.

Working under Labour governments in the United Kingdom and New Zealand was enough to make Charlotte Littlewood jump ship and become a National Party member.

Last week the 31-year-old was elected chairwoman of National Party's New Plymouth branch.

She took over the position from Peter Horton with the role lasting until next year's annual meeting, but Mrs Littlewood said she hoped to stay in the role beyond that, through to the next general election in late 2014.

She was voted into the position by about 30 members who attended the AGM.

The bachelor of arts honours graduate in economics and politics said she only chose her political allegiance recently.

Mrs Littlewood moved to New Zealand from the UK eight years ago and moved to New Plymouth five years ago where she took up a role as a Powerco regulatory manager.

Having worked for the Tony Blair Labour administration in the UK and for the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development under Helen Clarke's Labour Government, Mrs Littlewood said she came to realise she didn't agree with the Left-leaning policies.

With a changing global economy came new challenges such as globalisation and an increased "liberalisation in personal autonomy", she said.

"Those two things have brought fundamental changes in how we live, work and operate," Mrs Littlewood said.

"I just don't think Labour or the Greens quite have the ideology that fits into how we need to address those challenges."

She said people needed to be rewarded for taking risks and being competitive.

"We need to set up a society that makes sure people have personal responsibility and I think National just operates in that framework much better."

After joining the National Party two years ago Mrs Littlewood got involved in the 2011 election campaign and had been policy chairman and treasurer for the past year.

"There's a perception that young people aren't engaged in politics, which I think is wrong."

She encouraged more people to join political parties.

Being a party member gave access to what's happening in New Plymouth and opportunities to meet ministers, she said.

Plus it was a good way to learn about and discuss important issues facing society, she said.

"By getting involved you get to shape what happens.

"Politics is really about the battle for ideas so become part of that, get involved," Mrs Littlewood said.

Prime Minister John Key will be in New Plymouth for a garden party from 3.15pm to 5pm on March 21, at the Devon Hotel.

Tickets can be bought by emailing meetjohnkey@ national.org.nz

- ? Fairfax NZ News

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/8423321/New-Nat-leader-switches-from-Labour

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