Interim PM Bill English is well deserving of the widespread criticism he is receiving.
PM ‘weak and indecisive’ on immigration ban
The Prime Minister is under mounting criticism for being too weak in his condemnation of US President Donald Trump’s immigration ban.
Islamic Women’s Council spokesperson Anjum Rahman said the council wanted to hear a stronger response from the government.
“This is a real miscarriage of justice, it’s against all international conventions and treaties and it’s really important that our government acts strongly now. …
Oxfam urges PM to condemn Trump order
Oxfam New Zealand is urging Prime Minister Bill English to publicly condemn the United States Administration’s recent Executive Order which will slash refugee resettlement and ban immigrants and refugees based on nationality and religion. …
Patrick Gower, of all people (criticising process not principle of course):
NZ Govt ‘hopeless’ in response to Trump ban
In the five days since Donald Trump issued his travel ban, the Government has looked hopeless.
It has failed to clarify what Mr Trump’s orders mean for New Zealand citizens originally from the banned countries.
…
New Zealand’s ambassador in Washington is Tim Groser, who is clearly failing to break through. The US embassy in Wellington is also silent.So in the Beehive a new Prime Minister waits, for a phone call from The Donald.
International perspective:
‘Hottest places in hell’ for those neutral on Donald Trump’s Muslim ban: Ex-diplomat
The former US Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, has issued an extraordinary statement attacking President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration and a passionate defence of refugees, warning that the “hottest places in hell” are reserved for those who “maintain neutrality” in times of “great moral crisis.”
Bleich’s criticism followed a reluctance by political leaders, including New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and British Prime Minister Theresa May, to condemn Trump’s “Muslim ban”. …
From a history of leadership on international issues all we worry about now is putting ourselves first:
… New Zealand urged to take a stand
Opposition parties and advocacy groups in New Zealand have been urging the Government to take a strong stance against Mr Trump’s immigration ban.
Red Cross programme development manager Rachel O’Connor says now is the time to consider an emergency intake of refugees.
“We know we have a world-class resettlement programme, and that’s exactly why we are in the space we are as a country to actually provide a greater number of places.”
Massey University associate-professor Grant Duncan says New Zealand needs to voice concern.
“I’m disgusted. I think it’s absolutely wrong. It’s poor public policy. It appears to be unconstitutional and unlawful,” he said.
“We have to stop saying, ‘Oh no, he won’t do those terrible things.’ We now have to take him at his word and believe him. He’s doing it. He’s acting like an authoritarian leader. We have to live with that fact and deal with it as best we can.”
This comes after Labour leader Andrew Little accused Prime Minister Bill English of taking a “weak” stance against Trump’s ban.
But Mr English says he is “quite happy with the stance” the National Party are taking.
The National Party are not going to become “full commentators on everything Trump does, but in this case, we disagree with the policy,” Mr English said.
Media Nats sound the alarm! Tracy Watkins:
Could Donald Trump cost Bill English the election?
Just days into his leadership, and US President Donald Trump is already casting a long shadow over the next New Zealand election.
When Prime Minister Bill English announces the election date on Wednesday, there will be a sneaking worry that National’s fourth term will become collateral damage. …
Bill English is going to cost Bill English the election.
Bill English needs to get out of cruise control
…
When English finally spoke to the news media about an issue that has horrified New Zealanders, the best he could do was to say he “disagreed” with the Trump move and that is was “discrimination.”More astonishing than the flaccid response was English’s insistence that it amounted to criticism of the US policy.
English was slow to respond to an issue causing anguish around the world and his response was inadequate.
For the first time in a while, Labour and the Greens look sharper and more focused than National.
Andrew Little in his state of the nation said New Zealand had a new Prime Minister but not a leader.
English came close to proving him right yesterday.
Indeed.
See also:
‘What are we scared of?’ – Jack Tame puts PM Bill English on the spot over his stance on Trump’s travel ban
Bill English: Donald Trump’s Muslim ban is not a racist policy | Stuff.co.nz
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