Editorial Two
Issue 394 June 15, 2018
The Right Honourable Simon Willian English, known to New Zealand and the rest of the world, as Bill English, has been appointed to Knighthood as a part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Dignity and Respect
From the time he entered politics in 1990 to the time he quit as the Leader of the Opposition in February 28, he brought nothing but dignity and respect to the various posts he held- first as a Member of Parliament, then as a Minister of the Crown, later as the Prime Minister and finally as the Leader of the Opposition, ‘The Worst Job on the Planet.’
We have known Mr English since he became the National Party’s Spokesperson for Finance and Shadow Finance Minister after a Labour Coalition came to power in November 1999. He brought a certain finesse to his role, never criticising a government policy for the sake of it and never putting down an Opposition Member just because that was his job.
If he was a responsible Finance Minister under National for nine years (2008 to 2017), he was more so during his nine-year stint in the Opposition benches.
Mr English is being knighted for his services to the State.
Victim of circumstances
In many ways, Mr English was a victim of circumstances. He assumed leadership at a time when differences within the Party began to be heard and the defeat at the September 2017 polls brought those differences to the fore. It is now becoming apparent that Mr English decided to quit with dignity and honour on his terms rather than face an almost certain ouster.
Today, we salute an astute leader and yet a simple man who symbolises the Ordinary New Zealand. Wish you well, Sir!
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