Winston Peters sacks Phil Goff as UK High Commissioner over comments about Donald Trump
The foreign affairs minister says Phil Goff’s position as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom is “untenable,” following public comments about US President Donald Trump.
Video shows Goff speaking at a Chatham House event with Finland’s foreign minister, and during a Q&A the two were discussing how Finland kept the peace in its border with Russia.
“I was re-reading Churchill’s speech to the House of Commons in 1938 after the Munich Agreement, and he turned to Chamberlain, he said, ‘You had the choice between war and dishonour. You chose dishonour, yet you will have war’,” Goff said.
“President Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?”
Foreign Minister Winston Peters told reporters at Parliament the decision to sack Goff was one of the most difficult things he has had to do.
Three things about this knee jerk reaction.
1 – The conservative faction inside Labour who want a deal with NZF instead of the Māori Party have just been punched in the face by Winston – you don’t knife a former Labour leader and think Labour will forgive you.
2 – With Goff free, Wayne Brown might get a new candidate in the Auckland Mayoralty race.
3- What this really highlights is the fear this Government has towards any criticism of Trump, that he is so thin skinned that if he hears any criticism he will lash out.
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Oh come on. Goff asked a loaded question which couldn’t possibly be answered in order to make a smart-arse c political comment.
Pure political posturing.
Let’s face Trump is f’ing idiot. Forget politics he needs to visit a Putin hotel. The ones with the dodgy windows
A very high one ,,,,
Winston has gone full blown woke and has bowed to his master Trump.
But never fear deputy prime minister David Seymour will reinstate Goff because Goffs comments were simply “free speech” right? Seymour seems very conspicuous by his silence on this.
As for Winston, meh!
That is worse than pathetic Squeaky, I suggest you take a vacation, a very long one.
Take your mental health medications Bob the knob, you are seeing things that aren’t there. I however, suggest your poor understanding of politics requires you to attend remedial tutoring.
Now, have you got anything, anything that your simple brain can comprehend to counter my argument because your response offered nothing! I’m looking forward to my round the world vacation funnily enough whist you are odd jet-setting to Paeroa. Hhahahaha.
I think it’s pretty obvious from what Hipkins had to say, that there might be enough in Labour to suggest you are off the mark. Hipkins was in no way scathing of Peters in his response.
Goff made a stupid comment for a diplomat. His role is to represent the NZ Government, not give his own views. And taking the piss out of someone as thin skinned as Trump when he’s busy firing tarrifs at everyone is definitely not a smart move.
Good summary.
Especially when sensitive trade negotiations are in progress.
Goff was never smart ,,,,
Goff was a diplomat what he said was not diplomatic despite it being true . Winston had no choice and I am sure Clark would have done the same.
Hipkins even supported the decision.
Should have known better, diplomats have to play by different rules and no chance he’d win a mayoral vote in Auckland this time around. I’m sure there’ll be a sinecure for him at Otago uni or some other Left Wing think tank.
Goff’s comment was witty and he is a bright man. However Winston was right to be decisive and take no chances. Had he consulted Luxon they’d be having a facilitated hui.
What’s witty about asking if the POTUS understands history ?
That’s just stupid.
Yes, we all already know Mr Marmalade is a colossal ignoramus who probably thinks Genghis Khan crossed Asia on the trans-Siberian railway.
We know the POTUS doesn’t understand much.
Especially a twat as vindictive as Drumpf…
The “free” World is in fear of a tantrum from Trump. What Goff asked would be regarded as a pertinent question by most, but if it percolated to Trump the response could be catastrophic.
So Trump is now dictating to Aotearoa
Yes
Just those who would rather live on their knees than risk dying on their feet. Money talks and no one wants to upset the system.
Maybe he is to aotearower, but certainly not to New Zealand, Not my government.
Big difference….
If Goff made a similar comment about Xi Jinping , Would Winston take the same approach?
Yes
Yes
Yes.
No
So what they are saying is suck up to Trump, appease and flatter.
How disgusting.
What will they do when Trump notices our nuclear-free status?
“Gone by lunchtime” is the famous line made by Don Brash, Leader of the Opposition in relation to New Zealand’s nuclear-free policy. One of his statements was that if or when he gets into parliament the policy would be ‘gone by lunchtime’. He promised to try to change the policy mainly to please the USA government if he wins the next election.
Wankers.
The nuclear policy should be revised it is a naive reaction to how the World is now.
This from Trev who knows everything but nothing about worldly events
The policy is ridiculously out of date and agree naive.
Not according to the Leaders of the free world, unlike you who is a nobody.
C’est la vie
Goff got a big ego along with a big mouth I’m not a fan of Peter’s but he got this right especially with Trump tariff wars on his allied country’s so he might give us a break seeing this political move from a NZ politician about time someone in govt is doing something constructive
Clearly we are being lined up to become the 51st state and the main military base for USA war machine in the pacific.
Fabulous prospect gordon there’s hope for you yet.
Correct gordon, imagine being a sycophant like Bob always a follower, having to suck up to be noticed, no thanks we are individual thinkers, Bob is a nobody.
Yep Bob the fart is just a useless troll bot with a malfunctioning processor
Winston is never going to be a chance with labour again .Why would they want the river of filth party in any government they might form in the future .No room for anti vax racists in any future government in nz .
Labour and Greens will form next govt and take NZ foward in the world of giving a toss for all citizens in the country not just the 10%
Well said
Why? Because pragmatism gets stuff done for working people.
No way would Labour turn its back on a chance to be in government for something Winston did or said.
It’s never stopped Labour before.
Absolutely on the button Ada.
Listen to the pair of you. Like this f’ing train wreck of government wouldn’t mud wrestle their own grand mother for power.
Lets not forget that Chatham House is one of those highly influential, Richie Rich organizations that politicians, far and wide, kowtow to. Meaning, they fcuk over democracy!
Which world leader will have the courage to tell Trump et al to go get fucked?
Appeasement didn’t stop Hitler, and it won’t stop Trump or Putin.
He’s Goff and he’s off! Winston sucking up to Trump–but was it necessary? The whole world has to learn to give the grotesque ‘Trumpfather’ a return serve like Canada is doing at the moment.
Trump has talked about expelling Canada from 5 Eyes, so how far behind can NZ be in that respect if he even remembers where we are. NZ Nuke policy will not be high on the Trumpy to do list…unless some local Atlas rat in CoC Govt. reminds the yanks.
Tarrifs will hit what ever the Govt. may do or say, so again, the world needs to form new alliances and sideline the USA.
If Goff’s comment had been ignored no one would be any the wiser as it would have gone unnoticed and disappeared. But oh no slimy righty tighty hack Luke Malpass from Stuff had to stir the pot and spill the beans.
The Finnish Foreign Minister’s refusal to directly answer Goff’s rhetorical question tells us that the question was unwise. But it’s probably a sacking offence only in the current context of global terror at Trump’s stupidity and vindictiveness.
The concerning thing leading from this is to consider how craven and supine we are going to become in the next 4 years. If Trump says, “We can keep protecting you from China but we want all your maritime resources, fish and minerals from your big beautiful Exclusive Economic Zone and I think Trump should own all your fantastic golf courses and make them even greater. If not I might have a word with President Xi” ?
That’s right, the Trumpfathers style is “nice country you got there Noo Zeelan…shame if something happened to it…”
Winnie may well have run out of lives over his pro- Trump brownn nosing, AB ?
$ 20 BILLION of NZ exports to China put at risk if Winnie puts his foot in mouth.
Brown nose and a brown tongue winstones days are numbered as is his useless ministers.
Peters is out of touch with European sentiment.
Being offended on Donald Trump’s behalf may be something that Peters may come to regret.
In the dispute between Europe and the US over Ukraine, Phil Goff’s comments were not out of line with the views of UK and EU politicians and leaders.
By being offended on Donald Trump’s behalf, Winston Peters has sided with the US and against Europe.
This is a decisions that will come back to haunt him.
If Peters replaces Goff with a pro-US appointee it will be death for our relationship with Europe.
Winston is in no way “out of touch” indeed the contrary, he is an excellent foreign minister bringing wisdom and wise thought to the position.
It’s annoying to read comments by people who have no experience in international affairs claiming they know best. Most of them have never held a position of responsibility, or been off shore even.
thats why he now lives in the rabbit hole and wears a foil hat and swims in the river of filth .
Yes you are right Bob , your comments are garbage again, you hated Winston when he was with Labour, you are a fucking hypocrite!
And here you are attempting to tell others of their inadequacies and you have the experience of sperm, you fuck head Bob.
Pat O’Dea well renown, Bob who?
Of course one also has to ask oneself which relationship is more important to New Zealand?
Garbage, again.
Winston may well agree with Goffs statement but it wasn’t ‘diplomatic’. Now if Winston has to negotiate directly with Trump he will get some respect for his ability to say, “Your Fired!”.
‘Send the Mexicans home’ isn’t exactly becoming of a NZ MP either. But you can’t beat that absolute clanger ‘that is what it is’ in confirmation of a two-tier society based on health status
Yes Ethan the hypocrisy in Peters sacking given his own comments in parliament of the Green member. Not only that he doubles down.
I also see the hypocrisy in those saying Goffs sacking was justified. These same people labeled the left woke for Posy Parkers shut down of free speech and yet they cannot see the similarity here.
Peters believed it was a show of strength when in fact it just shows what a weak woke old man he is and struggles with media.
This presupposes that Christopher Hipkins has a spine. This is obviously false.
British MPs “HORRIFIED BY TRUMP”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMbBLLzsWFM
Watch on YouTube as UK MPs lambast Donald Trump in the House of Commons.
(The only dissenting British MP being, Nigel Farage, the anti-immigrant racist leader of the far right Reform Party. That Elon Musk has donated to.)
As a US lickspittle, Winston Peters should be worried that Europe’s horror at Trump doesn’t transfer to this country.
New Zealand First, or US first?
Trump’s policy is America First, every other country second or last. Crawling to Trump puts New Zealand at odds with Europe and the rest of the world, not least with our biggest trading partner China.
Sacking Goff may blow up to be the biggest political misstep in Winston Peters long political career.
Given the shallowness of your comments and your ignorance of international affairs I suggest Mr.O’Dea you stick to making protest banners.
Your lack of intelligence on full display again Bob the knob unlike Pat who is well educated and has mana. Your ignorance is what makes you a laughing stock on this site.
Phil Goff was asking a legitimate question about the conference in 1938 in Munich where European countries, including the UK attempted appeasement with Hitler, allowing him to invade Czechoslovakia in the hope of an escalation of war. That worked well didn’t it? Winston’s response was part of the grovelling we are seeing of King Donald, where nations are so afraid of him, we must stfu. I admire Phil for speaking out. He has paid a price, but this, imho is his finest moment in years of service to our country. May we have more like him. He was right : study history.
Phil Goff could also be accused of not understanding history. Riyadh was not a repeat of Munich, and Donald Trump is not a Neville Chamberlain. Was it then a repeat of the German-Soviet non-aggression pact? (Ukraine as Poland to be divvied up between the US and RF, while giving the US a free hand to pursue its war against China). You could argue that, but again historical analogies always need to be treated carefully if not skeptically. In short, Goff’s was a poor analogy. Having said that, a poor analogy should not be a sacking offence. Where he went wrong was in criticizing the leader of the state to which the Realm of New Zealand is politically and militarily subordinate. No, he would not have been sacked for criticising the Head of State of Germany, Hungary, North Korea, Russia, China etc etc. (the list is endless). He criticized the leader of the United States, albeit with a dodgy analogy. Therefore he had to go.
Just so.
Goff made a big faux pas. He should be admonished but sacking him seems extreme. WP is trying to play the BIG MAN! Which he isn’t supporting this current bunch of vandals screwing NZ society and its economy.
Being squeamish about NZF may not be an option. If the right are successful in radicalizing and isolating TPM. The left are going to be hit hard by upcoming changes to the media landscape in NZ. Look at what’s happened to ‘decent bloke’ Duncan Garner and be afraid. Be very afraid because this is going to ripple out very quickly.
Dear Martyn
Talk about you misreading it. Nobody is this new version of Labour cares for Fool Gaff. If anything, Winston has upped his chances. Why…because Chippy said he’d done the same. He supports Winston…all part of the evil MMP strategy.
Goff insulted the Maori King and should have gone then
Are you for real Trevor as if you care about the late Maori King fucken bypocrite
Martyn – Winston ruled out Labour while Chippy is in charge…that was 18 months ago.
OMG! I though Goff introduced GST.
roger douglas introduced GST. That, makes sense.
So when Trump invades our commonwealth brother, Canada, or throws them out of 5 Eyes. Or bullies our NATO ally, Greenland/Denmark. Will the Coalition have the nerve to standup?
Or are they trying so hard to hope the US triumvirate (or MTV) don’t have a map with us on it, and won’t pick on us, if we hide?
Oh dear,
Mr Goff insinuated something mean about a creature who himself hurls insults around hourly.
Pocahontas, sleepy joe, deranged Jack Smith etc etc etc
indeed the arse licking from NZ is sickening .Fancy sucking up to a deranged old prick .
Yeah nah – this dismissal doesn’t add up. Who remembers the recent anti-immigrant / anti-Mexican jibes from NZF? By the same measure, those racist dickholes should also be down the road by now.
I’ve been saying for a while that Winston has permanently burned his bridge with Labour now, even if they agreed to patch things up there’s no way the greens would ever support a deal with NZF again
Are you for real Trevor as if you care about the late Maori King fucken bypocrite
Are you for real Trevor as if you care about the late Maori King fucken bypocrite
Does Labour lose its chance with Winston? Labour has corrupted its purpose and integrity long ago and now is just a bunch of ‘mushrooms’ sharing in the limelight while they sort out their next Big Chance. Thanks Mr Giddens and your Third Way, look for the exit if you haven’t already gone. And the ape-leader of the economists; (ape leader is what unmarried women left on the shelf in Regency times were called). Mil-ton Friedman should have been a lonely sort shouting at the moon, but he and Hayek had a fragrant odour on them that apparently the rat-faced pollies and of course the financiers and investors were drawn irresistibly to.