Welcoming Boris

OVER the last couple of days, I’ve been fascinated to watch and listen to (not to mention read) the news coverage given to the visit to New Zealand by England’s latest emissary to these shores. But even more fascinated to see the almost fawning and arguably obsequious welcome tendered by his political hosts. It seems that this is a demonstration of the degree to which our national talent for forgiving and forgetting has developed.

At a time when almost our entire economy hung on the traditional level of trade which we transacted with the ‘‘Mother country’’(!), England suddenly decided that Europe was the most vital trade and political alliance with which she should align herself. And that decision took as long to take as it takes for a guillotine blade to reach its destination. It seems to me it may be the wrong party that may be the one bowing and scraping here?

PS. But what an engaging fellow this Boris fellow is. No 10 beckons?

Graham Nicholls

Calton Hill

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BIBLE READING: You shall have no other gods before Me. — Exodus 20.3.