God Save the Queen (and King, and King ...)
New Zealand's 100th anniversary of it's independence from Britain is a good as time as any to debate whether or not we should be a republic. It's one of those debates where both sides have equally valid points, but no common ground. It's a credit to both sides that the debate is usually about ideas, rather than personalities.
The main reason I'm not for not wanting a President of the Republic of New Zealand is that anyone who wants the job, is clearly not suitable for it! Believe it or not, we are lucky enough to have a Head of State who cannot use any of their powers - because using them would mean they would no longer be Head of State.
I do accept that a New Zealand Republic is inevitable, given the changing ethnic make of New Zealand away from immigrants from other former British colonies. And if we do it before Australia then it will royally piss them off!
And anyone who thinks the British Royal Family are a waste of space should remind themselves that the current bunch are nothing compared to the goings-on with the Tudors. If we were to have a President (even ceremonial) you can impeach as many as you like, but you'll never get one that's perfect!
The main reason I'm not for not wanting a President of the Republic of New Zealand is that anyone who wants the job, is clearly not suitable for it! Believe it or not, we are lucky enough to have a Head of State who cannot use any of their powers - because using them would mean they would no longer be Head of State.
I do accept that a New Zealand Republic is inevitable, given the changing ethnic make of New Zealand away from immigrants from other former British colonies. And if we do it before Australia then it will royally piss them off!
And anyone who thinks the British Royal Family are a waste of space should remind themselves that the current bunch are nothing compared to the goings-on with the Tudors. If we were to have a President (even ceremonial) you can impeach as many as you like, but you'll never get one that's perfect!
posted by Michael at
7:38 PM
2 Comments:
Mike, I respect your position entirely - although I totally disagree with it ;-)
By
Lewis, at 10:31 PM
It doesn't seem to me like Michael has a particularly strong inclination in either direction, Lewis.
I'm for a republic, simply because I think that we're grown up enough to make our own way and the idea of a foreign head of state just seems absurd to me.
Having said that though, I have no problem with the royal family - I think by and large they're unfairly maligned for the sort of faults that basically everyone has, and they don't cost us any money anyway.
Interesting that you said that anyone who would want the post of our president is clearly unsuitable for the post, Michael. Reminds me of Catch-22: if you don't want to go into combat, you're obviously sane and will be forced to fly - if you're crazy you won't ask to be excused from doing so, and hence go into battle anyway.
By
Richard, at 9:58 AM
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