Letter to The Post replying to a letter describing the new government as not a typical ‘National’ government

The Editor, The Post, Wellington

07/04/ 2024

Dear Editor:

Radha Sahar and Charles Bagnall (Off the track, 5 Apr) suggest the new government is not a real ‘National’ government but one supporting the selfish agenda of the far-right. And at the end they say ‘middle-ground’ National voters should stand up and get the party ‘back on track.’

While hopeful, I don’t think they are characterizing ‘middle’ National voters properly.  Yes, this government is pushing far-right agendas.   They have formed the most angry, most desperate government this country has ever seen.  They know, as we all do, that this far-right agenda brings no prospect of a future ready to take on the existential challenges of climate change, nuclear weapons, and generally the global overshoot of our ecosystems by human civilization.

Actually, this triumvirate of parties has never tried to hide their anger and desperation against reality, bulldozing progress (“get NZ back on track”), and there is no reason to think that voters haven’t voted for that and haven’t got what they wanted.  This desperation is very shallow, certainly, and it may not last, but let’s call it what is right now for the sake of clarity and honesty.

Sincerely,

Richard Keller