If you've been watching the news recently you will have seen lots of poor decisions made by NZ First and not all of them have been made by Shane Jones. Winston Peters is still capable of, no, not 'still capable' - he's still capable of making a balls-up and bringing New Zealand into disrepute.
New Zealand has often punched above its weight on the world stage with influence on the outcome of two world wars and the worthy and recognised anti-nuclear stands presented by prime ministers Norman Kirk and David Lange. Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern have also worthily carried the flag with Ardern's response to the Christchurch mosque shootings and her handling of the COVID pandemic being world class (although many idiots still cannot recognise this).
All too often though we've been let down on the world stage by the likes of John Key who prostrated himself before a very unfunny American comedy show presenter (David Letterman) making the excellent Flight of the Conchords TV series so much more relevant.
Winston Peters has been lurking on the fringes for the last half a century - not fortunately, as prime minister - but in senior enough (as unbelievable as that may seem - thank you not MMP) positions to put him 'on the world stage'.
You might have noticed over the last few days that Winston Peters refused to sign the Foreign Ministers’ letter condemning illegal Israeli settlements.
This is a retrograde step for New Zealand’s foreign policy and has Winston Peters’ name all over it - well, all except for his signature on the bloody LETTER. This LETTER was signed by 21 foreign ministers and condemned Israel’s approval for a new illegal Israel settlement in the occupied West Bank of Palestine.
The signatories include the foreign ministers from three of the 'five eyes' countries – Australian, Canada and the UK with very noticeably USA and New Zealand not being included. Other countries are Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Well done Winston.
'NOT' (as that comedically-challenged guy from Whytheheckdoesitmatter would say).
In past years New Zealand has condemned illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories and in 2016 co-sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 which said Israeli settlements had “no legal validity” and constituted “a flagrant violation under international law”.
Now Peters, by not signing FOR US AS NEW ZEALANDERS is sucking up to USA in the worst possible way.
Shame on Winston Peters and shame on Chris Luxon who has abrogated his responsibility in this matter to the squeaky wheel in his cabinet and is allowing a minister who leads a party that only has a minimal percentage (6%) approval from New Zealand voters to 'wag the dog' (sorry about the mixed metaphors).
In past years New Zealand has condemned illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories and in 2016 co-sponsored United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 which said Israeli settlements had “no legal validity” and constituted “a flagrant violation under international law”.
Now Peters, by not signing FOR US AS NEW ZEALANDERS is sucking up to USA in the worst possible way.
Shame on Winston Peters and shame on Chris Luxon who has abrogated his responsibility in this matter to the squeaky wheel in his cabinet and is allowing a minister who leads a party that only has a minimal percentage (6%) approval from New Zealand voters to 'wag the dog' (sorry about the mixed metaphors).
He said, "It's still the Greatest Story"
I said, "Man I'd like to stay
But I'm bound for glory
I'm on my way
My ride's here..."
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