• Published date: 01 December 2020
• Date: 01 December 2020

Amongst all the angst, navel gazing and recriminations over the drubbing the National Party received at the recent elections, I have yet to discern the following reason being acknowledged. That is the role played by this party in opposing the End of Life Choice Act.

At the third and final reading in Parliament, 69 per cent of National MPs voted opposing the act. More even than a reversal of the election result of 65.9 per cent of the electorate in support. This could have stopped this compassionate legislation dead in its tracks.

MPs are supposed/expected to represent their electorate. What this shows (to me at least) is a major disconnect between these MPs and the wishes of their electorate. I’m not aware of any National MP conducting an independent poll on this issue, but I know of a few who actively opposed it.

Digging deeper, it seems that (unsurprisingly) much of the opposition was faith-based. For those of us in the community who don’t share these beliefs there was satisfaction at the referendum outcome. It was another nail in the coffin of religion, and as two correspondents independently remarked to me, sanity prevailed.

Knowing the extent to which the opposition to this Act outspent advocates, it was without doubt a David vs Goliath battle, and, with a thankful nod to David Seymour, David won. Let Schadenfreude commence.

John Watson

Otaki

Lingual tripe

By prior word and covert implication, I gather from your editorial ‘Liddell - what next for the flying Kiwi?’ (Northern Advocate, November 28) that one Chris or the other, Luxon or Liddell, will eventually rescue the National Party. LOL!

I note this bizarre op-ed piece is unattributed aside from NZ Herald. Is no one prepared to put their name to this sort of lingual tripe, aka newtertrainment, nowadays? It’s a media release, nothing more. An advertorial. Presstitution.

I mean, he effectively says, the rich get richer because the poor have too few aspirations. Chicago School and Rogerednomics word play and sophistic sleight-of-mind. The Neo New Right narrative?

The two Knights in Shining Blue Armour have similarly dubious credentials too.

Which is worse though? “I was one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisers?” or “I nearly scuttled Air New Zealand?”

Another important either/or decision for the NZ National Party to make on their way out.

Wally Hicks

Kohukohu

Best in class

I thank your correspondent Peter Nicholson (Like the Irony, letters November 24) for responding to my letter.

He asks “When...