Sober Muldoon

In 1984, when NZ was having the port nukes vote, a National MP told PM Robert Muldoon that she would abstain, with two other backbenchers. Since they had a narrow majority, all MP's needed to vote yes to pass it. She would vote with the government on matters of confidence. Instead of delaying the vote, a visibly drunk Muldoon announced a snap dissolution without, I believe, notifying the G-G. When he lost, he triggered a currency crisis during the ten day transition, and the GG almost prematurely terminated his commission. What if he had been sober instead of DUI (Dissolving under the Influence)? Unfortunately, the YouTube video was removed re copyright :mad:.
 
I dont think it would've made much difference. Bob Jones party would still have siphoned off a lot of National Support and Labour would still have gotten in.
 
Well I think Labour would have still won as well, but if a more regular electoral/handover process had occured then perhaps that could have changed things a little. Perhaps the economic crisis would have been slightly less pronounced and therefore the mandate for radical change less?

Possibly also with an extra 4 months or so there could have been some change in the marginal electorates - I really cannot remember how close the races were, but assume that there were some very tight races then certain personalities could have not been represented in parliament, which might change the balance of power in the factions
 
LOL, I thought that was some guy's name, Sober Muldoon ! It certainly made me click on the link to see...

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
Well Rob Muldoon was definately a character. I do not think NZ will see his like again, which is probably a good thing. He will be remembered for sometime as one of the most powerful 20th Century NZ Prime Ministers and also for being a bit of a loose cannon.

His post PM career had its moments too: (extract from his Wikipedia entry)

Muldoon had a short stage career in a New Zealand production of The Rocky Horror Show, starring as the narrator, had minor television appearances on commercials for Panasonic (when it changed its name in New Zealand from "National") and in the television series Terry and the Gunrunners (as Arnos Grove) and in The Friday Frights (as the host); he also hosted a talkback radio show entitled Lilies and Other Things, referencing his favourite flower.

AND

To those, known as "Rob's Mob", who revered him, he represented an icon of the New Zealand national character, a supporter of the "ordinary bloke" (his own description of himself) and an international statesman. Curiously, he also became patron of the Black Power gang for whom he had created work schemes and advised on the better treatment of women and children associated with the gang.[9] Members paid him solemn respect by performing two haka during his funeral in 1992.
 
Top