Winston WAS a centrist. Since 2023 when he went full anti-woke hard right, there is no universe where he can ever work with Labour again. His manifesto is also pretty devoid of socialist policy, a big shift from decades prior.
NZ First's return to parliament and continuing support is based entirely on anti-left hate. Its no accident he was so aggressive towards Labour in his recent speech, as he knows that if he shows the slightest hint of leaving a door open or softening, NZ First's support implodes overnight.
I was at North & South when our political columnist accused Lange of being lazy (or words to that effect) and the ensuing defamation case went on and on and on zzzz but cost so much none of us got a raise in (already dismal) pay for years. I guess we're not immune on Substack either.
There are few rock stars in NZ politics; Winston Peters is one. By rock stars I mean the ones we refer to and know by one name - Winston, Jacinda, Key, Douglas, Clark - not necessarily because they were great (that is someone's opinion). But Winston is an enigma. He's a rock star because he is such a 'loner'. He's not matey. His couture is perfect. His shoes always polished. I've seen women swarm him in a private restaurant but he doesn't flinch. When my husband celebrated his 70th Winston spoke. 250 guests were present. We lived out in the country so Winston had to park and walk up a long drive. He ignored all the gapers, everyone trying to shake his hand, greet him. People asked me all night, 'How did you get Winston here?'
His campaign ad on the horse was not really a stunt - he's ridden horses all his life, adopted two Kaimanawas and called them Rodney and Richard after you-know-who. He loves the races, seedy dives like the Green Parrot once was, he gets back in because he campaigns at racetracks, pubs, he's comfortable with these people, not rubbing shoulders with wide boys on gin palaces or up in the members stands. Who is this ever youthful yet almost 80 Winston Peters, really? I reckon there's a Portrait of Winston Dorian Peters in an attic somewhere, slowly aging.
Winston WAS a centrist. Since 2023 when he went full anti-woke hard right, there is no universe where he can ever work with Labour again. His manifesto is also pretty devoid of socialist policy, a big shift from decades prior.
NZ First's return to parliament and continuing support is based entirely on anti-left hate. Its no accident he was so aggressive towards Labour in his recent speech, as he knows that if he shows the slightest hint of leaving a door open or softening, NZ First's support implodes overnight.
Edit: And yes, he should throw in the towel IMO.
Paul, thanks for that!
I'm not trying to be a pedant but I'm sure you don't mean anti-work, or do you? anti-woke?
Haha right you are, good spotting. Spellcheck didn't pick up 'work'... and I'd had too much caffeine :D
I was at North & South when our political columnist accused Lange of being lazy (or words to that effect) and the ensuing defamation case went on and on and on zzzz but cost so much none of us got a raise in (already dismal) pay for years. I guess we're not immune on Substack either.
Winston has long been a Tory at heart & the ideological successor to Rob Muldoon. It's why he wouldn't go into coalition with Jim Anderton in 1996.
Enjoyed your retrospective in The Conversation. You wouldn't read a political life like that in a novel! Truth stranger than fiction.
There are few rock stars in NZ politics; Winston Peters is one. By rock stars I mean the ones we refer to and know by one name - Winston, Jacinda, Key, Douglas, Clark - not necessarily because they were great (that is someone's opinion). But Winston is an enigma. He's a rock star because he is such a 'loner'. He's not matey. His couture is perfect. His shoes always polished. I've seen women swarm him in a private restaurant but he doesn't flinch. When my husband celebrated his 70th Winston spoke. 250 guests were present. We lived out in the country so Winston had to park and walk up a long drive. He ignored all the gapers, everyone trying to shake his hand, greet him. People asked me all night, 'How did you get Winston here?'
His campaign ad on the horse was not really a stunt - he's ridden horses all his life, adopted two Kaimanawas and called them Rodney and Richard after you-know-who. He loves the races, seedy dives like the Green Parrot once was, he gets back in because he campaigns at racetracks, pubs, he's comfortable with these people, not rubbing shoulders with wide boys on gin palaces or up in the members stands. Who is this ever youthful yet almost 80 Winston Peters, really? I reckon there's a Portrait of Winston Dorian Peters in an attic somewhere, slowly aging.
Nice recollections, thanks Deborah!