A period of consequences

Every so often a politician drops their guard and speaks the unvarnished truth. Such occasions should be celebrated and we’ll try and feature a few here.

When Cyclone Gabrielle was bearing down on New Zealand in February the government declared a National State of Emergency. The declaration was debated in Parliament on Valentine’s Day, with Green Party leader and Minister for Climate Change James Shaw giving a powerful speech that amongst other things invoked a famous quote from Winston Churchill.When Cyclone Gabrielle was bearing down on New Zealand last week the government declared a National State of Emergency. The declaration was debated in Parliament on Valentine’s Day, with Green Party leader and Minister for Climate Change James Shaw giving a powerful speech that amongst other things invoked a famous quote from Winston Churchill:

“The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.”

You can watch the full speech (two and a half minutes well spent!) below: