Australia has already started their debate; I note the Prime Minister there has said there will be no vote this term, which I think is wise.
Firstly, because we have enough on our plate at the moment without putting things to the vote. Perhaps we could get past Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, and the war?
And a republic debate is one for the generations. And whether it's decided next year or in ten years, really in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t matter. But as it stands, my guess is we wouldn't vote for one. Mainly, because what we have works.
You can't possibly argue the new King isn't a known quantity and you can't possibly argue the ascension to power hasn’t been seamless. And I doubt you can argue that the new King will be radically different from the previous monarch.
You change a system for a couple of reasons. One, the current system doesn’t work. Or two, the new system is overtly and obviously better.
Is voting or appointing a president every five years or so overtly better than an institution that goes back 1000 years or more? Who are these presidents we would so willingly appoint or vote for?
The new King will have his work cut out in certain parts of the world, notably the Caribbean seem keen to move on. The realm is basically held together by us, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain.
For a small island nation there is something solid and reassuring about being part of a system so old and established. Especially given changing that is new, untried, and fuelled by a tiny population.
Yes, it's odd that birth lines you up for a job. But having a president of great standing is a crapshoot.
The line often used about being aspirational, independent, about wanting to forge our own path as a republic cutting ties with the mother country is polytech marketing puff.
We can't even get a decent All Black coach, apparently. What are we going to do when the president turns out to be a tool?
For the next 20 to 25 years, you’ve got Charles, then for another 30 or so you have William. Neither scare the horses, both are committed, both offer a consistency, pedigree, and reliability that serves us all well.
The status quo is fine.
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings.
You change a system for a couple of reasons. One, the current system doesn’t work. Or two, the new system is overtly and obviously better.
Is voting or appointing a president every five years or so overtly better than an institution that goes back 1000 years or more? Who are these presidents we would so willingly appoint or vote for?
The new King will have his work cut out in certain parts of the world, notably the Caribbean seem keen to move on. The realm is basically held together by us, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain.
For a small island nation there is something solid and reassuring about being part of a system so old and established. Especially given changing that is new, untried, and fuelled by a tiny population.
Yes, it's odd that birth lines you up for a job. But having a president of great standing is a crapshoot.
The line often used about being aspirational, independent, about wanting to forge our own path as a republic cutting ties with the mother country is polytech marketing puff.
We can't even get a decent All Black coach, apparently. What are we going to do when the president turns out to be a tool?
For the next 20 to 25 years, you’ve got Charles, then for another 30 or so you have William. Neither scare the horses, both are committed, both offer a consistency, pedigree, and reliability that serves us all well.
The status quo is fine.
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings.
4 comments:
Could not have expressed it better. Inherited power is strange and unreal - all of us, including the 'royals' know perfectly well that they are only human fallible people, who sit where they do by an accident of birth - and each one of us has a 'lineage' whether documented or not. The wonderful thing about this kind of power is that one does not have to scramble for it - to plan, connive, disparage the opposition, dissemble - and all that which makes electoral power so open to contempt at times. The combination is undoubtedly worth keeping. Noblesse oblige.
Issues in the Caribbean appear to be related to China. I am sure China will apply the same pressure to us soon enough.
Presumably he is alluding to the co governance war?
Couldn't agree more. We've had a good few very average Governors General. There is no guarantee we will find a better quality President.
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