A look at the ‘rather Winston way of communicating’
The Peters playbook that puts lives in danger.
Last week, we got an all-around clear example of what Christopher Luxon spinlessly called “A Winston way of communicating”.
Winston Peters sped-ran through his current modus operandi for staying in the limelight:
Say/introduce something utterly offensive that serves no real purpose aside from dog whistling to cookers, throwing a minority group under the bus, and upsetting “woke lefty shills”.
Directly contradict past things he has said/legislation party has passed.
When faced with criticism from journalists, get overly defensive, claim their fact-checking and reporting are the problem, not him.
Face no consequences from the current so-called “Prime Minister”
?????
Profit.
Inspired by the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of ‘women’ and, I assume, a hard push from the local TERF community here, Winston Peters proposed a new member's bill which would "ensure the biological definition of a woman and man are defined in law".
Instantly, there was pushback. A meaningless bill that would waste taxpayers’ money that has offers us absolutely nothing, and especially doesn’t help anyone struggling under a cost-of-living crisis, tough job markets, and high interest rates,. and only flames, hatred, acts of violence, and harassment towards the trans community.
In classic Peters's fashion, he was reminded that his party helped shepherd in the self-determination law in mid-2023, which allowed anyone, including transgender people, to more easily change their sex on birth certificates. Clearly, he didn’t care about the definition of a woman then, so why is it so important to him now? (follow the donations, follow who he courts).
When faced with clear and concise criticism and hypocrisy from both the opposition and the media, Peters went on the defensive, threatening to “cut the water off” of RNZ’s government funding.
And finally, the leader of our country and currently coalition Christopher Luxon, didn’t put his foot down, instead calling his threats to our media as “his right to do so”.
Winston has whipped out this playbook before, and I’m sure he will do it again, as he continues to do anything he can to hold on to relevancy until his dying breath. It’s been suggested that we should just ignore him, that he only does this for attention and to keep in the media cycle and on the mind of voters. And I can say with complete confidence that I bet Peters does not give a shit about defining what a woman is, nor does he care or even align with TERFS and just wants their votes.
But the issue is that these “conversations” he brings forth have direct consequences on the trans community, it validates anti-trans rhetoric, which more times than not is laced with hatred and violence. Winston’s “way of communication” shouldn’t be brushed off, because it has real reverberations on a community of people who already have to deal with so much vitriol; it’s not an exaggeration to say that it puts lives in danger.
When he doesn’t face consequences or any pushback, especially from the Prime Minister, it only confirms what he already knows - that he can get away with it. Last week’s move was already some bottom of the barrel bullshit, and if he’s walked away from that without even a stern talking too, i’m afraid of whats going to come next.
Danz.
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