Newly minted Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour says his self-funded trip to participate in the Oxford Union is worth doing despite his growing workload back home, because the world can learn from New Zealand’s experience.
Seymour has followed in the footsteps of some of the world’s most prominent people, speaking at an Oxford Union event in England.
Oxford Union claims to be the “most prestigious debating society in the world”, on its website.
Established in 1823 with a commitment to freedom of speech and expression, the union’s members largely remain University of Oxford students.
The Deputy Prime Minister has followed in the footsteps of some of the world’s most prominent people, speaking at an Oxford Union event in England. (Source: 1News)
Seymour was opposing the moot “This House Believes No One Can Be Illegal on Stolen Land” alongside United States immigration reform advocates RJ Hauman and Art Arthur.
The proposing side are historian Aviva Chomsky, Palestinian peace activist Nivine Sandouka and Australian Senator and Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens Mehreen Faruqi. Both sides will also include a student speaker.
“I believe we’re one of the most successful societies that there are in a world that is very troubled in many ways,” Seymour told 1News.
“A country like New Zealand that does practise the rule of law, that has sought through treaty settlements to right the wrongs of the past, that does welcome migrants.”
Seymour said he thought the invite was a prank until he saw that Labour MP Willie Jackson had participated in a debate at the union last year.
He is opposing the moot “This House Believes No One Can Be Illegal on Stolen Land” alongside United States immigration reform advocates. (Source: Breakfast)
On now being linked to the group of distinguished people that have spoken at Oxford Union events, Seymour said humour was his best chance for standing out.
“Albert Einstein’s been here, so I’m not the smartest.,They’ve had people like Elton John, so I’m not the most famous and I don’t know if I’ll be the funniest, but that’s probably the best area to compete,” he said.
Toitū Te Tiriti spokesperson critical of moot
Toitū Te Tiriti spokesperson Eru Kapa-Kingi has criticised Oxford Union’s debate topic of “This House Believes No One Can Be Illegal on Stolen Land,” saying discussing topics like this under the principle of freedom of expression is “ultimately dangerous”.
He says this principle creates “opportunity for more embedded stereotypes which will damage not only current generations but also future generations of indigenous communities who are in the process right now of reclaiming and reviving their own identity, culture and political authority”.
Kapa-Kingi helped lead the hīkoi to Parliament opposing the Treaty Principles Bill, which failed at the second reading in Parliament.
He’s also been critical of Seymour participating in the debate, saying it’s problematic.
“He has neither the qualification nor the lived experience to talk either about illegal immigration or the colonisation of indigenous cultures, particularly through the theft of land…
“Also, given David Seymour’s most recent track record in terms of the Treaty Principles Bill and most recently the Regulatory Standards Bill, direct attacks on indigenous rights, tangata whenua (Māori) rights in Aotearoa, this is a provocative move inviting him to partake in this debate concerning those exact rights.”
Kapa-Kingi said he questions the integrity and credibility of the debate, perceiving the event as a “deliberate attempt to incite what will inevitably be hateful rhetoric, damaging rhetoric to indigenous communities”.
Parliament punishment, free money?, getting wicked again (Source: 1News)
Kapa-Kingi said Māori with formal qualifications and lived experience would be a better pick to take part and “carry the kōrero with respect, honour and in a way that’s genuinely productive and genuinely thought-provoking”.
Seymour has rejected the comments, saying everyone is allowed to share their perspective on an issue.
“I think that they need to start respecting each person’s dignity and right to have views and share them, instead of trying to say that some people are less able to express a view which seems to be exactly what they believe.”
Seymour claimed the protest group divides society “into victims and villains and we should each know our place”.
“Well actually I think that we all get a time on earth and should be able to make the most of it, share the ideas that are important for us, throw away the ones that we don’t like.”
A long history of distinguished guests
As well as debates, the Union has a long history of hearing from distinguished people from around the world. This has included Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa and Malcolm X. Controversial speakers have also been invited over the years, sparking dramatic protests.
New Zealand’s most famous Oxford Union debate moment came in 1985 when former Prime Minister David Lange responded to a student speaker that he would answer his question, “if you hold your breath just for a moment… I can smell the uranium on it as you lean towards me!”
Lange won the debate, arguing that “nuclear weapons are morally indefensible” and drawing international attention to New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance.