I have a rule in modern politics: never, ever say sorry, especially if there are hordes of woke wombles on social media clamouring for an apology. It’s what they want and after they get the apology, they start trying to pressure you some more to resign or be ‘more sorry’.
Cameron Brewer is the latest to fall foul of this:
New National MP Cameron Brewer has apologised for a “poor attempt at humour” after celebrating the return of “stale, pale males” in his election night victory speech, having ousted Labour’s Vanushi Walters from Upper Harbour.
In a recording of the speech leaked to RNZ, Brewer can be heard declaring himself a “glass ceiling breaker” to laughs from the crowd.
“I’ll be the first male MP for Upper Harbour,” he says to cheers. “Stale, pale males are back!”
An audience member shouts in response: “Stale, pale, male!”
RNZ
Let’s get this straight: it is OK for brown people, like Marama Davidson, to use this in televised debates, but it’s not OK for anyone else?
Right, got it: brown people are allowed to be racist, ageist and misandric, but you can’t throw it back in their face.
The comments come as National faces scrutiny for a lack of diversity in its new caucus, and follow a public commitment from leader Christopher Luxon to improve representation.
Almost 70 percent of National’s caucus this term are men, and 80 percent are Pakeha.
The Upper Harbour electorate had been held by Walters – New Zealand’s first Sri Lankan-born MP – since 2020, and before that, National’s Paula Bennett since the seat’s formation in 2014.
Contacted by RNZ, Brewer said the remarks were intended to be funny and self-deprecating but accepted they were unwise.
“If anyone is offended by this comment, of course, I apologise… I don’t want to be the subject of distraction,” Brewer said.
“In my defence, it was a private function, but nonetheless, it was a silly thing to say. It was clearly a poor attempt at humour, and it’s something I wouldn’t say again.”
Brewer told RNZ he was disappointed the speech had been leaked and regretted that his “minor offence” could have poorly reflected on him or the National Party.
“It was an exciting election night victory. We were all a little bit excited. And hence, my speech possibly went off the core message of gratitude.
“It’s a lesson for a first-term MP that even if you’re in a private function, cracking jokes, you’ve just got to be ultra careful as to what you say.”
RNZ
National isn’t facing scrutiny. We’ve just had an election; everyone could see National’s party list, voters have passed judgement and National is the largest party.
The correct term would be ‘National faces media scrutiny on an issue that no one else cares about’.
These harpies in the media are just out to get an apology. The best policy is to dismiss their rubbish out of hand and get on with things.
Playing the apology game never ends well for conservative politicians. Just don’t do it.
Oh, and Cameron: you have a little snitch in your organisation. Sort that out while you are at it.
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