Flagging intent

Peter Fitzsimons (who was also interviewed on National Radio yesterday) reports on his speech to the Labour Party conference last week, taking aim at monarchist Professor David Flint:

And speaking of the Queen, Professor David Flint will no doubt be interested to hear that your humble correspondent was delighted to make the keynote address to the New Zealand Labour Party Conference in Auckland on October 15, where, among other things I warmed to the theme of the virtues of republicanism and getting rid of the Union Jack from our flag. But here's the interesting thing, professor! Not only did both the Labour Party president and Opposition Leader support me in their public comments afterwards, so did the mighty New Zealand Herald. In an editorial the following day it said: "The conference also heard the party president, Andrew Little, reinforce [opposition leader] Mr Goff's earlier call for a debate on New Zealand becoming a republic. This, also, is territory where too many politicians have been too timid to go. There is no obvious electoral appeal in such a policy, but it is the right thing to do." We are getting there, prof, we are getting there!