Of late there have been countless headlines stating Prime Minister Christopher Luxon 'must go' followed by reasons why. These include - in no particular order - his poor party polling, his poor personal polling, inability to articulate clearly what he stands for, overuse of corporate speech, running the country like a business and more.
For a member of the public who stands outside the beltway, outside of the political skullduggery and shenanigans in Wellington, it looks suspiciously engineered. Get the jungle drums beating and the sound will only intensify, especially with the combined enabling might of the media, unions and activist-left.
I don't like or dislike the PM. He seems capable when he is wheeling and dealing internationally, he's a very successful person in his own right and looks like a loyal, dependable family man.
But there is one reason why I believe he absolutely will have to go and that's his position on the Treaty Principles Bill. Here he is in parliament in November last year:
"...it is Government policy to support this bill to first reading. It is also Government policy to give parties a free vote at the second reading. The National Party, which I lead, will not be supporting it. The only way this bill will become law is if the Opposition parties do support it." [My emphasis]
To his credit he has not wavered. And it's a mark of his leadership that his Ministers and MPs also toe the line (though often rather robotically.)
But his truculence is not matched by the people who voted for him or one of the other coalition parties.
Yes, we all understand that some Maori feel beleaguered by existing as a minority. They anguish and appeal about the 'tyranny of the majority'. But Maori are only one minority in New Zealand. It is impossible to satisfy every minority which is why we have a democracy that vests rights and responsibilities in the individual.
In practical terms then, the country cannot be co-governed by one race on one side and every other race on the other. That is patently unjust, illogical and a recipe for never-ending dispute. Luxon says he opposes co-governance but while the derived Treaty principle of 'partnership' remains, the courts and councils can interpret it as such.
We cannot solve past wrongs by committing future wrongs. We have to commit together to a robust democracy that will abide. We have to agree as best we can what role the Treaty plays going forward. That's what this bill gives ALL New Zealanders a chance to do.
BUT the Prime Minister is standing in the way. Even though surveys show most people support a referendum to decide what the Treaty means for everyone who lives here, Chris Luxon is prepared to deny their wishes.
It is untenable for him to change his mind after months of steadfastly defending his opposition, though even he must concede in the deep recesses that unresolved, the issue will only come back again and again.
So he must go. His party must put New Zealand's future and democratic foundations first.
If Luxon stays, the country blunders on.
10 comments:
I support the motivation for the Treaty Principles Bill but am concerned that if they are defined by one government they will be changed by another. A better alternative is to removed any reference to the principles in legislation, and that is being done, quietly, Act by Act.
Amen !
I too was indifferent to Luxon, he was unappealing in opposition but anything had to better than the two previous PM's being his sole quality. But you're right, the wheels started falling off with the Treaty Principles Bill and his spineless lack of support.
He has shown just how ill prepared he was for the job because the constitutional threat it poses not only to his government but for New Zealand. Willie Jackson's obsession and blindness with Maori only and his manipulation of university graduate politicians in Labour who practice stupidity so naturally, reached new levels to destabilise us as a country. Luxon, too busy doing what was best for Christopher" pre politics didn't even realise this was going on. And he was either asleep to this during his two and an a bit years in opposition, or worse, admires it. Regardless it is not a sustainable course to follow, if one cares about the future of NZ as Luxon says he does.
Add to that his woke causes of climate change another seriously conflicting stance against the economy, yet he wants growth.
Another is his belief in big government, creating two new ministries and refusing us of none and a raft of behavioural taxes in the wings to attack motorists vis a vis transport which will only hinder growth. He seems as economically illiterate as Grant Robertson, the author of our lengthy recession.
In nearly 18 months the Luxon I see stands for nothing, is afraid to confront and lead on contentious or even semi contentious issues, speaks in corporate jargon and thinks wafting overtones about some trade deal with India where we gain little will win him respect. It won't.
Unfortunately he's a dud and I think it way too late to redeem. He's a head of department trying to please the boss, "working really really hard" with bugger all to show for it. I now know he's an avoider and a poor politician. Exactly what's we don't need!
I agree with this article. David Seymour is fighting for his Bill --- yet the PM is essentially trying to kill it. This frustrates many New Zealanders and I believe it is high time to test the issue by a public referendum. My guess is that half of those voting in a referendum would support the Bill.
An excellent summary thanks Lindsay, cheers, Pete
I agree about Act's Treaty Principles Bill. However, Luxon is the PM and if it was just that one issue I think rolling him would not be appropriate. There are a number of other issues one being climate change. Luxon is a climate change alarmist and will not listen to anyone. There also is the issue of what is a woman? I could go on but I believe while rolling a PM is much different than rolling a leader while in opposition it is worth serious consideration.
Quietly but, at a snails pace HP.
Most Coalition voters were seeking much faster action with this.
Listening to Winston Peters State of the Nation speech, fresh off a plane from overseas, it was a speech an actual PM would have given. And batting off hecklers with ease. But radio silence is the Luxon way. He hates awkward moments and confrontation. A very strange choice and man to get into politics!
He will only speak to certain preselected persons in an incredibly timid approach to public communications. He will not speak on the Platform for example, I'm guessing because he cannot think on his feet. He is regal like in who he chooses to speak to.
That the country is finally out of recession is a big deal, but Luxon, as always above the fray, was silent.
Every time TPM go on one of their mindless hateful rants, Luxon should immediately and very publicly be asking Chris Hipkins if Labour will go into coalition with them. To stamp that link in the public minds. But as always, deathly silence.
Luxon the CEO who was used to a group of underlings doing his bidding for him, hopelessly clings to that style of management, a complete anathema for a PM or politicians.
But more worryingly, he was head hunted by Labour but for reasons only known to Christopher, he chose National. I think he is a valuable asset to the left, a place I reckon he's much more comfortable in!
Pete just a thought.
The current Labour Caucus do not look the type of people that Luxon would want his friends seeing him with.
National were therefore more acceptable - no matter his actual politics.
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