Peters calls ‘spill on’ amid crisis for May
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters says Theresa May’s position as Britain’s prime minister is not secure.
Speaking to Newstalk
ZB yesterday, the foreign affairs minister said there was a ‘‘spill on, as the Aussies say, in UK politics’’.
The Australian political term refers to a time when the leadership of a political party is vacant or in crisis.
If May was to lose her position as head of Britain’s ruling Conservative Party, she would also lose the role of prime minister.
Peters’ comments were made as he praised UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who has thrown the British Government into further turmoil by resigning over May’s new Brexit negotiating platform.
Peters said the ‘‘spill’’ had ‘‘been coming for a while because on June 23, 2016, there was a decision (the Brexit vote), and the establishment has refused, in the main, to come to terms with it’’.
The comment came after he was asked if Johnson would make a good prime minister – a question that Peters said he couldn’t answer. National Party foreign affairs spokesman Todd McClay said Peters was entitled to his personal views but should be more careful if speaking as the head of New Zealand’s Government. ‘‘Ultimately, it’s their business what they do with the leadership of the Conservative Party.’’ Johnson’s resignation came among numerous others, including most notably Britain’s Brexit minister, David Davis. In his resignation letter, Johnson said that the dream of the British vote to leave the European Union was ‘‘dying, suffocated by needless self-doubt’’.
‘‘We have postponed crucial decisions ... with the result that we appear to be heading for a semiBrexit.’’
Peters was asked about Johnson’s resignation on Newstalk ZB yesterday and was full of praise for the MP.
‘‘It’s very sad on a personal basis because I think he’s something that’s lacking in worldwide politicians – a man of true character, fascinating, bright, intelligent.’’
He thought there would be ‘‘more to come from Boris’’ in the future. ‘‘This is the beginning of what is quite a momentous time in British politics.’’
Peters has repeatedly said he does not engage in ‘‘megaphone diplomacy’’.