What a lot of people don't know about Phil G is he is genuinely working class. No frills for his upbringing. He paid his way through uni working at the Freezing Works and as a cleaner. Later on, he was a union organiser for the Insurance workers (later Finsec). We were all put off the Labour government of the 1980s, of which Phil was part. The myth in my day was he is right wing, as was Annette King. I am here to say these two were amazing leaders to work with as a Labour MP. They were encouraging, focused on campaigning for change (remember Axe the Tax and No Asset Sales?) One of the best days of my time in Parliament was when Phil phoned me to say he had allocated me the portfolio of Employment Relations . He supported my various members' bills to improve workers' rights in caucus, and he was strong on this. What we are seeing now is a much needed and experienced voice speaking out against our weak government's response to Trump. It is so refreshing. Even Luxon was brave enough to say this morning Trump should apologise for the Obama posts.
Darien, could you please find this man a job? Today? He’s wasted on the outside of the House. Maybe Chippy could give him a role as someone involved in foreign affairs. The current one is not worth the space or time he inhabits, just another sycophantic flunky aboard a very rocky ship.
PS. I’m sure Donald is shaking in his boots after Luxo suggested he apologise to the Obamas. Perhaps Luxo could also tell Don to turn the portrait of Barack, in the Oval Office, the right way round, not facing the wall. Surely the world’s most powerful man has the strength to do that?
I think Phil G is enjoying himself way too much to be enticed back into an 'offical' job. I like that he feels he can finally say what he thinks needs to be said, without being bound by diplomatic chains. We need voices like his -- experienced and brave! -- to speak out.
Really enjoying his podcast with Chris Finlayson, although they do both get a bit longwinded at times.
Oh no! I don't want him to keep his head down! .... unless he and Winnie do cross swords -- in that case, keeping his head down would probably be a good idea. But only metaphorically. In the meantime, I like to see/hear him speaking out.
Maybe Phil could take over the lead position in Seymour's Ministry of Regulation. He could oversee (rein in) all those unelected right wingers whom Seymour intends to appoint to reconsider each rule and regulation passing through government!
As the American who thought he was safely ensconced here at the top of the south having escaped The States after 25+ years on this long slide (I could argue it began far earlier than that of course), it is so, so hard to be witnessing this here now. This election would seem so critical. But hell, I been sayin’ that about each election in the U.S. now for decades. C’mon Kiwis, you can beat this back
Oh wow, again you write what my own heart endorses! Bring back Phill and send W Peters to ‘Coventry’. If only those who selfishly think they are guarding their pensions and the ‘other misguideds’ would see the light.
What is Phil Goff doing these days - and how do we get him to do something more useful as he has vanished a bit until now - we need more of this commonsense that is actually sensible and less than common these days.
I am not sure Winston actually wants to be the PM - he gets to be acting PM without having to take all the flack that a PM does - plus he can snipe against his coalition partners if he is Deputy PM and blame them for anything unpopular that his government does - besides, he might have to give up his Foreign Minister portfolio if he was PM, although Luxon spends as much time out of the country as he does in it, so maybe not. And, if he demands the PM role then he will have to give in on other issues he wants to push as even he can't get everything he wants in a negotiation (well, maybe not!)
As for Trump and the Obama meme - I am astounded, even though I should not be, that he thinks that is ok. I really wish California and New York states would think seriously about leaving the USA - and maybe the other more progressive states could leave too and start again - wishful thinking - the next 3 years of Trump are likely to be horrific for the other 8 billion people on the planet. What will this crazy man do next?
What he is doing now is perfect - on a platform to speak truthfully to large audiences who may be swayed. The moment he is employed he goes back to mind his Ps andQs - I can't remember him speaking out much as mayor of Auckland.
True! I just wish we heard more often from the "unconstrained/untethered" lefty people - I feel that I hear from righty people all the time - but maybe that is my bias!
I did watch Q & A & thought it was a brilliant interview that's the kind of speaking we should be hearing in NZ no more corporate BS speak from the PM.
While I was reading Luxo’s answer to Jack Tame’s question about the sewage debacle, I had two thoughts.
First, it was a dreadful attempt at dodging the question by our PM.
Second, I couldn’t help but hear the voice of the late, great John Clarke, in which case it was a brilliant piss take of our government’s ineptitude in everything they touch. Clarke could have written the script🙂
Oops. I may have made an error. Luxo was apparently on Breakfast this morning so for some reason I assumed it was Jack Tame. I’d forgotten Luxo doesn’t like being interviewed by anyone who will ask him about the tough stuff or truth, especially Jack. I’ll be more careful in future. Either way, he still didn’t answer the question.
It was such a relief to hear Phil. Clear and saying what I and many others have been thinking and wanting from the government. Think his role is becoming a bit like Sir Geoffrey Palmer - elder statesman with experience and wisdom.
I think Helen Clark plays the same role, and, to be fair, Chris Finlayson from the Nats and even Jim Bolger towards the end can play that stateperson role.
I remember my first glimpse of Phil Goff in 1972. A huge cast of door knockers had assembled in West Auckland. In the middle was this tallish, angular young male sporting a mass of curly brown locks half-way down his back, tight jeans and leather boots up to his knees - the quintessential radical leftie of the 70s. The contrast between those days and his subsequent time in parliament couldn't be more extreme. And now the real Phil Goff is standing up again and socking it to this bunch of insipid, half-baked morons. I love it.
One thing you can say about Judith Collins she isn't a moron, even if she has a few other not so admirable characteristics. No wonder she decided to jump ship.
Yes! I noted that. They always start their Sunday 6pm news with a snippet from Q&A that morning. Not a mention, and they can't use the excuse "we didn't know Q&A had started again". To do so would have cast aspersions on their lack of competence. No... I believe it was deliberate because Phil was so effective. They didn't want their audience to see it.
The last thing Aotearoa needs is another PM like the present one. Winston is a hypocritical caustic never was and the only one worse would be the creep in the jeep. This country of ours needs a leader who has a feeling for people and a team to make change for everybody not just the top 10%. Nobody in COC demonstrates these qualities. Go Chippy.
I loved that interview with Phil Goff, everything he said was true, and we need more politicians like him with the guts to stand up for NZ. This CoC of gutless sycophants, would clearly like to be Trump. NZ1st, the biggest bully boys , led by Winnie, who has to pump up his ego by threatening everyone and always hiding behind parliamentary privilege, denigrating anyone and everyone, to deflect from the fact that they have no policies, Davy the dictator from ACT who is the minister of everything, knows everything about everything and is always right, pumping up his big ego by denigrating anyone and everyone and last but not least; Mr Gutless himself, Chrissy Luxon leading National, and the CoC on how to fleece the public and avoid responsibility for the mess you're making of the country, brown nosing Trump and anyone with money in NZ to help keep his job. the volunteer fire persons signal to the camera spoke for a lot of us. Wank. wank Chrissy
PM should stand for Political Mouthpiece as all we get is talk talk and more um um talk. If Winston’s family truly have any love and respect for him they would silence and encourage him to retire from his foolish attempts to garner the top job. It’s nothing short of publicly humiliating himself
Wish witless would quote job recovery in true FTE figures not a figure (15k jobs) which cover part time and casual employment. Stand up and quote only Full Time Employment or nothing!!!! We’re not stupid but she obviously thinks us bottom feeders are. Someone get the girl an abacus 😳
Side note. When did America superbowl become a nationally recognised event in this country?
It's been a while, I've seen Super Bowl work events since the 90s, a good excuse to bunk off at lunchtime, drink beer, eat brown food, and marvel that a game that seems to have about 20 minutes of actual playing time can take 3-4 hours. Couldn't even tell you who was playing this year.
Phil gave an excellent interview and is absolutely 200 % on the money. It was great to see an informer, coherent, articulate former politician speak honestly about international fora and having an independent foreign policy. How can we hold Winston to account? He is a national embarrassment, a bully and a populist who has probably only done one good thing and that's allowing gold card holders to have free transport. Anything else? It would be music to everyone's ears if he retired. Now, I would love to see mandatory voting in our country as there is in Oz. Who is with me? Also mandatory MP retirement at 70 years of age?
Oh, I would give them another 5 years - 75 years of age. Sometimes that is when a person really comes into his or her own after all those years of experience and a brain as lively as ever. (wink)
What a lot of people don't know about Phil G is he is genuinely working class. No frills for his upbringing. He paid his way through uni working at the Freezing Works and as a cleaner. Later on, he was a union organiser for the Insurance workers (later Finsec). We were all put off the Labour government of the 1980s, of which Phil was part. The myth in my day was he is right wing, as was Annette King. I am here to say these two were amazing leaders to work with as a Labour MP. They were encouraging, focused on campaigning for change (remember Axe the Tax and No Asset Sales?) One of the best days of my time in Parliament was when Phil phoned me to say he had allocated me the portfolio of Employment Relations . He supported my various members' bills to improve workers' rights in caucus, and he was strong on this. What we are seeing now is a much needed and experienced voice speaking out against our weak government's response to Trump. It is so refreshing. Even Luxon was brave enough to say this morning Trump should apologise for the Obama posts.
Darien, could you please find this man a job? Today? He’s wasted on the outside of the House. Maybe Chippy could give him a role as someone involved in foreign affairs. The current one is not worth the space or time he inhabits, just another sycophantic flunky aboard a very rocky ship.
PS. I’m sure Donald is shaking in his boots after Luxo suggested he apologise to the Obamas. Perhaps Luxo could also tell Don to turn the portrait of Barack, in the Oval Office, the right way round, not facing the wall. Surely the world’s most powerful man has the strength to do that?
I think Phil G is enjoying himself way too much to be enticed back into an 'offical' job. I like that he feels he can finally say what he thinks needs to be said, without being bound by diplomatic chains. We need voices like his -- experienced and brave! -- to speak out.
Really enjoying his podcast with Chris Finlayson, although they do both get a bit longwinded at times.
You’re probably right Kate. If I was Phil I’d keep my head down too. I had visions of him and Winnie crossing swords. That would be worth watching!😀
Oh no! I don't want him to keep his head down! .... unless he and Winnie do cross swords -- in that case, keeping his head down would probably be a good idea. But only metaphorically. In the meantime, I like to see/hear him speaking out.
I think his job now is as truth teller as John said on Nick's FB post. I am glad he is doing so.
So am I. We need to hear a lot more truth. It seems to be a very rare commodity globally these days.
Maybe Phil could take over the lead position in Seymour's Ministry of Regulation. He could oversee (rein in) all those unelected right wingers whom Seymour intends to appoint to reconsider each rule and regulation passing through government!
Love your work Nick! And love your comments Darian – we need more like both of you!
As the American who thought he was safely ensconced here at the top of the south having escaped The States after 25+ years on this long slide (I could argue it began far earlier than that of course), it is so, so hard to be witnessing this here now. This election would seem so critical. But hell, I been sayin’ that about each election in the U.S. now for decades. C’mon Kiwis, you can beat this back
Mark. Are you in any way related to Sue Behnke? Such an unusual name.
Oh wow, again you write what my own heart endorses! Bring back Phill and send W Peters to ‘Coventry’. If only those who selfishly think they are guarding their pensions and the ‘other misguideds’ would see the light.
What is Phil Goff doing these days - and how do we get him to do something more useful as he has vanished a bit until now - we need more of this commonsense that is actually sensible and less than common these days.
I am not sure Winston actually wants to be the PM - he gets to be acting PM without having to take all the flack that a PM does - plus he can snipe against his coalition partners if he is Deputy PM and blame them for anything unpopular that his government does - besides, he might have to give up his Foreign Minister portfolio if he was PM, although Luxon spends as much time out of the country as he does in it, so maybe not. And, if he demands the PM role then he will have to give in on other issues he wants to push as even he can't get everything he wants in a negotiation (well, maybe not!)
As for Trump and the Obama meme - I am astounded, even though I should not be, that he thinks that is ok. I really wish California and New York states would think seriously about leaving the USA - and maybe the other more progressive states could leave too and start again - wishful thinking - the next 3 years of Trump are likely to be horrific for the other 8 billion people on the planet. What will this crazy man do next?
What he is doing now is perfect - on a platform to speak truthfully to large audiences who may be swayed. The moment he is employed he goes back to mind his Ps andQs - I can't remember him speaking out much as mayor of Auckland.
True! I just wish we heard more often from the "unconstrained/untethered" lefty people - I feel that I hear from righty people all the time - but maybe that is my bias!
Indeed
I did watch Q & A & thought it was a brilliant interview that's the kind of speaking we should be hearing in NZ no more corporate BS speak from the PM.
Me too!!
While I was reading Luxo’s answer to Jack Tame’s question about the sewage debacle, I had two thoughts.
First, it was a dreadful attempt at dodging the question by our PM.
Second, I couldn’t help but hear the voice of the late, great John Clarke, in which case it was a brilliant piss take of our government’s ineptitude in everything they touch. Clarke could have written the script🙂
I had to go back and check the quote, verbatim, because when I read it back, it sounded like ludicrous satire. It is, though, 100% non-embellished.
Scary, isn’t it?
Clarke and Dawe - The Front Fell Off is one of my faves
Yep, it’s brilliant!😀 a terrible shame we lost such an incredible talent.
When did Jack Tame question Luxon on the sewage debacle?
Oops. I may have made an error. Luxo was apparently on Breakfast this morning so for some reason I assumed it was Jack Tame. I’d forgotten Luxo doesn’t like being interviewed by anyone who will ask him about the tough stuff or truth, especially Jack. I’ll be more careful in future. Either way, he still didn’t answer the question.
LOL, I thought I'd missed something, but it was Chris Chang who interviewed him this morning and Luxo was just his usual thick self.
😀
😃
It was such a relief to hear Phil. Clear and saying what I and many others have been thinking and wanting from the government. Think his role is becoming a bit like Sir Geoffrey Palmer - elder statesman with experience and wisdom.
I think Helen Clark plays the same role, and, to be fair, Chris Finlayson from the Nats and even Jim Bolger towards the end can play that stateperson role.
I agree about Helen Clark and Chris Finlayson. Its great that Chris Finlayson and Phil Goff have teamed up in some facebook videos.
I love the way their true selves come out after they get out of politics. I especially enjoy Chris Finlayson's self-deprecating humour.
I remember my first glimpse of Phil Goff in 1972. A huge cast of door knockers had assembled in West Auckland. In the middle was this tallish, angular young male sporting a mass of curly brown locks half-way down his back, tight jeans and leather boots up to his knees - the quintessential radical leftie of the 70s. The contrast between those days and his subsequent time in parliament couldn't be more extreme. And now the real Phil Goff is standing up again and socking it to this bunch of insipid, half-baked morons. I love it.
One thing you can say about Judith Collins she isn't a moron, even if she has a few other not so admirable characteristics. No wonder she decided to jump ship.
She has jumped to a very powerful position in order to legislatively see through the current fire sale and gutting of Aotearoa as we know it.
Phil Goff was brilliant on Q&A, absolutely loved the interview with Jack, but where was the coverage on TVNZ 1 News ... nothing to see here 😡
Yes! I noted that. They always start their Sunday 6pm news with a snippet from Q&A that morning. Not a mention, and they can't use the excuse "we didn't know Q&A had started again". To do so would have cast aspersions on their lack of competence. No... I believe it was deliberate because Phil was so effective. They didn't want their audience to see it.
Exactly that!
What do you get if you cross a narcissistic ,homophobic, racist, power hungry, egocentric, delusional sycophant.. with dried human excrement ?
SFX phone rings : hello Chris Luxon speaking...Winston ? he's right here. Winston...WINSTON !
sorry Gerry, he's having his afternoon..
Gerry : nap ?
Chris : wank.
The last thing Aotearoa needs is another PM like the present one. Winston is a hypocritical caustic never was and the only one worse would be the creep in the jeep. This country of ours needs a leader who has a feeling for people and a team to make change for everybody not just the top 10%. Nobody in COC demonstrates these qualities. Go Chippy.
Go for it Mac!
I loved that interview with Phil Goff, everything he said was true, and we need more politicians like him with the guts to stand up for NZ. This CoC of gutless sycophants, would clearly like to be Trump. NZ1st, the biggest bully boys , led by Winnie, who has to pump up his ego by threatening everyone and always hiding behind parliamentary privilege, denigrating anyone and everyone, to deflect from the fact that they have no policies, Davy the dictator from ACT who is the minister of everything, knows everything about everything and is always right, pumping up his big ego by denigrating anyone and everyone and last but not least; Mr Gutless himself, Chrissy Luxon leading National, and the CoC on how to fleece the public and avoid responsibility for the mess you're making of the country, brown nosing Trump and anyone with money in NZ to help keep his job. the volunteer fire persons signal to the camera spoke for a lot of us. Wank. wank Chrissy
I never could understand why Stuff gives Grant a voice, he's a convicted fraudster.
I assume he must do it for free or even pay for the spot; it is hard to imagine many people read it.
PM should stand for Political Mouthpiece as all we get is talk talk and more um um talk. If Winston’s family truly have any love and respect for him they would silence and encourage him to retire from his foolish attempts to garner the top job. It’s nothing short of publicly humiliating himself
Wish witless would quote job recovery in true FTE figures not a figure (15k jobs) which cover part time and casual employment. Stand up and quote only Full Time Employment or nothing!!!! We’re not stupid but she obviously thinks us bottom feeders are. Someone get the girl an abacus 😳
Side note. When did America superbowl become a nationally recognised event in this country?
It's been a while, I've seen Super Bowl work events since the 90s, a good excuse to bunk off at lunchtime, drink beer, eat brown food, and marvel that a game that seems to have about 20 minutes of actual playing time can take 3-4 hours. Couldn't even tell you who was playing this year.
Might be wrong here Nick but I'm sure I read somewhere that there is around 11 minutes where the game is actually in motion!
Phil gave an excellent interview and is absolutely 200 % on the money. It was great to see an informer, coherent, articulate former politician speak honestly about international fora and having an independent foreign policy. How can we hold Winston to account? He is a national embarrassment, a bully and a populist who has probably only done one good thing and that's allowing gold card holders to have free transport. Anything else? It would be music to everyone's ears if he retired. Now, I would love to see mandatory voting in our country as there is in Oz. Who is with me? Also mandatory MP retirement at 70 years of age?
Oh, I would give them another 5 years - 75 years of age. Sometimes that is when a person really comes into his or her own after all those years of experience and a brain as lively as ever. (wink)
Dear Lord let it not be so. Peters as PM?!!! I just can’t.