The recent NZ election has seen a number of new MPs voted into our parliament, including one controversial newbie from the Green Party.
Almost before his induction into the ranks, he has already made a name for himself by declaring his opposition to swearing an oath of allegiance to the Queen, presumably in favour of something else that he hasn’t yet defined (typical of the Greens).
While not completely change-averse myself – my own experiences in life and work will attest to the need to continually adapt and modify accordingly – I do find my hackles rising at the audacity of wet-behind-the-ears newcomers who seem to see themselves as messiahs of change, and who can’t wait to alert all of us apparently ignorant ones, that we blindly revere outdated customs which should be immediately thrown out, in order to be in tune with modern times. The hubris of this breathless young, puppy from a cesspit such as Mexico, is gob-smacking, as is his whining that he’s only copping flak because he’s an immigrant and gay – give me a break!
Not too long ago, I watched a TV documentary celebrating the 90th birthday of the Queen. While never having consciously considered myself a monarchist, despite having been born in the UK and living there for my first 11 years, I found myself viewing the archival footage on-screen, with a growing sense of admiration and respect for this woman.
For over 70 years, from the era of wartime Roosevelt and Churchill, she has been filmed and photographed alongside any number of other countries’ monarchs, rulers, leaders and presidents in locations all over the world. They all had their time in the spotlight, and now, most of them have come and gone but she and her institution are still here. In a world which, over this same period, has seen huge changes for both good and bad, advancement, upheavals and disasters, there is something very settling about the continuity of the British monarchy, and the knowledge that it still exists. Even with all its faults, it represents an element of constancy in an ever-changing and uncertain world, and surely, a recognition of “old” values such as devotion to duty, dedication and respect for others, to name but a few.
Yes, we have to acknowledge the family dysfunction on many levels, but even that seems to bring them closer to the everyday lives of ordinary people, who I think, appreciate the mix of both humanity and the mystique that still remains.
Comparing this with the likelihood of a republic, and how such a system might evolve and operate in New Zealand, raises a load of questions. Would it be like the American system, with a presidential campaign, where having the most money to spend seems to be the major prerequisite? Where would this money come from – business, inheritance, donations from wealthy supporters, companies, or illegal activities carefully concealed? The latter happens, as even any beginning student of American political history, for example, will acknowledge. Who would be able to set themselves up as a candidate for leadership? What safeguards would there be, if any were even deemed necessary? Some would say that the Jacindamania of our own election was extremely presidential, with an adoring media fanning the flames. Is this a taste of what is wanted for the future?
Perhaps it is the Queen herself who is the constant, and things may change markedly once her reign is over. However, even as far away as we are in New Zealand, and even with our own special links to the Pacific, I believe there is an intangible “knowing” that we have a connection to something bigger than us, that is impartial and without bias and which represents older values, traditions and many years of history. Acknowledging the Queen in our parliament is simply a recognition of that.
If Mr Menendez March, as an MP, wants even a smidgeon of the respect and recognition she commands after a lifetime of commitment to her role, he would do well to read more, listen more and say much less.
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