Peter Dunne urges NZ to cut 'umbilical cord' with England during valedictory speech

December 6, 2017

He also used his valedictory speech to show his distaste for "showman politics".

Former United Future leader Peter Dunne used his outgoing valedictory speech at Victoria University to promote the notion of New Zealand cutting the "umbilical cord to Grandmother England" and become an independent republic.

"My children and grandchildren are likely to have the opportunity of living in the world's best multi-ethnic, multi cultural nation... and where that unique blend and tolerance is what marks out our country," Mr Dunne said.

"Frankly the time for change is long overdue."

"We should be an independent republic within the Commonwealth - like India, or South Africa and the majority of other Commonwealth nations.

"We can do so much better than continue to bend our knee to a hereditary monarch on the other side of the world," he said. 

Mr Dunne said there was no reason why there shouldn't be a non-executive President in the Governor-General role. 

He also touched on his distaste for "showman politics, where style outweighs substance, and where an almost child-like narcissistic obsession with being the centre of attention dominates".

"Being reasonable, and seeing both sides of the argument, while desirable in life, is the scourge of the liberal centrist in politics, especially at a time when the politics of reason are giving way across the world to short-term, knee-jerk, populist reactions and political charlatans proffering simplistic and fundamentally dishonest solutions."

Mr Dunne spoke of his party United Future being "frequently dismissed" and he was "derided for my liking of bow ties, and my luxuriant natural head of hair, as if either somehow mattered". 

"The latter criticism is easy to deal with - it came in the main from bald headed men, with no sense of style and absolutely no understanding of politics."

He concluded this speech by advice to the millennial MPs "whom will shape our future for the next generation and beyond". 

"Seize the moment now, and begin the process of wider constitutional reform by committing to our next Head of State being the first President of the Republic of New Zealand."

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