On one hand, the New Zealand cricket team is preparing it by making it to the finals of the T20 World Cup. On the other hand, there is a lot of upheaval in the politics of the country. New Zealand High Commissioner Phil Goff in Britain has been removed from his post. This action was taken after his statement in which he questioned the knowledge of former US President Donald Trump’s history. After this decision, there has been a hot debate in the country about New Zealand’s foreign policy.
Indeed, Phil Goff compared the status of Ukraine War to the 1938 Munich Agreement during a panel discussion held in London, under which Nazi Germany led by Hitler was allowed to occupy parts of Czechoslovakia. In this context, he said that Churchill had told Prime Minister Neville Chamberlane in the British Parliament in 1938, “You had the option to choose between war and insult.” You chose insult, but still you got war. Goff then asked, ‘President Trump restored the statue of Churchill in the Oval Office, but does he really understand history?’
The Foreign Minister took action.
Following his statement, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters took a tough stand and said that it is impossible for Goff to continue in his post. Peters said that when a person holds an important diplomatic post, he represents the government and its policies. “You cannot express your thoughts independently. He said, “You are the face of New Zealand.” Following this controversy, New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry has also confirmed that the process of removing Phil Goff has been started and discussion is going on about their return to the country. However, the ministry refused to comment further on the issue.
Debate on Phil Goff’s dismissal
There has been a sharp reaction in the country to the dismissal of Phil Goff. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke criticized the decision, calling it a “very weak excuse”. He said that similar historical comparison was made at the recent Munich Suraksha Sammelan, which was attended by several global leaders including US Vice President JD Vance.
Phil Goff’s political life has been long and impressive. Before becoming the High Commissioner in Britain, he served as several important ministers in the New Zealand government. Apart from this, he has also completed two terms as the Mayor of Oklaland. His dismissal has caused panic in the diplomatic circles of New Zealand.
Questions raised on New Zealand’s foreign policy
This development has launched a new debate about New Zealand’s independent foreign policy. Do diplomats have the right to express their opinion independently on international forums? Can New Zealand impose such restrictions on its diplomats to avoid criticism of powerful countries like America? These questions have now become the center of debate in the local politics of New Zealand. Currently, the eyes of the people of New Zealand and political analysts are on the next response of the government. Was it just a diplomatic mistake or an attempt to show strictness towards the policies of the government? Answers to these questions will become clear in the coming days.
