Social media erupted when National Party leader Bill English announced his resignation today. RNZ provides a taste of the public mood.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
A mixture of grief, elation and spaghetti-on-pizza has swept social media with the news of Mr English bowing out.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tweeted about the news, saying Mr English "has made a huge contribution through his time in office and to politics generally.
"I admire those who serve NZ in this place, and Bill did it for a long time, and he did it well. My best wishes."
Just heard the news that Bill English has decided to stand down. Bill has made a huge contribution through his time in office and to politics generally. I admire those who serve NZ in this place, and Bill did for a long time, and he did it well. My best wishes @RtHonBEnglish
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) February 12, 2018
Former Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox also paid her respects on Twitter.
I have great respect for Bill @RtHonBEnglish and enjoyed getting to know him during the brief time I worked with him. I believe his legacy has been to support and help usher in Whanau Ora with Dame Tariana and, bringing independent Maori voice to the seat of Government
— Marama Fox (@FoxMarama) February 12, 2018
"I have great respect for Bill @RtHonBEnglish and enjoyed getting to know him during the brief time I worked with him.
"I believe his legacy has been to support and help usher in Whanau Ora with Dame Tariana and, bringing independent Māori, voice to the seat of government."
English was a reactionary dinosaur who was perfectly happy to let regressive social currents advance his milquetoast neoliberal economics and we should not feel sorry or gratitude for him
— At The Drive Thru podcast (@drivethrupod) February 12, 2018
woah. Bill English is pregnant.
— Toby Manhire (@toby_etc) February 12, 2018
Bill English - and cat - on the campaign trail. Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell
Bill English fighting back the tears as he announces his resignation. Same, Bill, same.
— Jordan (@CoalDominion) February 12, 2018
Bill English will go down in history as a terribly underrated minister and a terribly overrated party leader
— Lew (@LewSOS) February 12, 2018
It's always quite amazing seeing the weight come off someone's shoulders in front of your eyes as they announce their resignation. English seems elated now it's finally done.
— Hayden Eastmond-Mein (@h_yd_n) February 12, 2018
Thank you Bill English for decades of service to our country. You are undoubtedly a patriot, and a thoroughly decent bloke #nzpol
— Bennett Morgan (@bennettmorganHT) February 12, 2018
