The legendary Miriam Margolyes is back in Christchurch, joining John MacDonald in studio for a chat. 

She’s one of a few famous names taking part in the Isaac Theatre Royal Variety Gala show next week, popping into the city early to don a habit and play a nun in ‘Holy Days’. 

Margolyes discussed all that was on her mind, her career, the importance of reading books, and how much it means to be back in the garden city.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

The legendary Miriam Margolyes is back in Christchurch, joining John MacDonald in studio for a chat.&nbsp;
She’s one of a few famous names taking part in the Isaac Theatre Royal Variety Gala show next week, popping into the city early to don a habit and play a nun in ‘Holy Days’.&nbsp;
Margolyes discussed all that was on her mind, her career, the importance of reading books, and how much it means to be back in the garden city. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

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If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio.

With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector.

Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays. It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking. If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio. With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald

Miriam Margolyes: Award winning actress talks her career, reading, the Isaac Theatre Royal Variety Gala, and being in Christchurch

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6bcc46d8-ea7a-4737-9e37-b2210005f8f4/transcript

I think I’m going to trust my gut instinct more often.  

Because yesterday, I didn’t like the idea of it, but my gut was telling me that Donald Trump was going to win the presidential election.  

And because I’m going to listen to my gut instinct more often, today I’m going to tell you that —even if we don't like it— we need to calm the farm a bit with all the hyperbole being thrown around.   

Because even though things are a little bit different this time around, did the world fall apart last time Trump was president? It didn’t.  

He’s another one of those people who you know is just making stuff up —and you know they’re a nasty piece of work— but somehow people fall for them. And enough people have fallen for Donald Trump. Again.    

But even though I felt he was going to take it out, I was still blown away with how the numbers looked from the start.  

Because you know what it’s like with elections and how the early stages of counting can skew things quite a bit – which is what I was thinking when I kept refreshing the screen on the phone following the results yesterday afternoon.  

But those Electoral College numbers just kept piling up for Trump. But, unlike last time he won, I wasn’t in the least bit surprised.  

There are some aspects that did surprise me. Example: the move in support from black voters —especially African American men— from Democrat to Republican.  

But even then, that shouldn’t really be a surprise when you consider how Trump campaigned. Where he just kept asking voters the rhetorical question: are you better off now than you were four years ago?   

And that’s a question that’s relevant to anyone from any cultural background. And it seems, for enough of them, the answer to that question was “no”. No, we’re not better off.  

And that, it seems, is what it came down to for the Americans who not only voted Trump back in as president but who also put the Republicans in charge of the Senate.   

Which is bringing some dire warnings today. Which I think would be very easy for me —or for anyone— to jump on board with. Because I think for a lot of people their default position is anti-Trump. Even though I think he’s a horrible person, I’m not going to switch to default.  

When I watched him making his big victory speech, I did wonder how many of his cronies who were on that stage with him will still be with him in four years time. There will be some casualties, we know that.  

And he made it very clear that America is going to be his first priority. In fact, he said that.  

But, on the basis that the world didn’t fall to bits last time he was president, I’m not buying into the hysteria. I could be proven wrong, but that’s my gut instinct.     

Unlike political commentator Matthew Hooton who is putting a very dire warning in the NZ Herald today, under the headline: “America entering most dangerous period since 1861”.  

He’s saying today: “The world enters its most dangerous period since World War II, with Trump threatening to abandon Ukraine, withdraw the US’s security in Europe which will encourage Russia’s Vladimir Putin to expand his ambitions westward, launch a global trade war and collapse the World Trade Organisation.”  

Matthew Hooton goes on to say: “Trump has also promised to jail his political opponents. He made similar threats in 2016 that he did not act upon, but back then his circle included at least some people who could be relied upon to keep his most extreme tendencies in check.  

“There are no such people around him this time. Nor is he constrained by the need to worry about re-election.  

“Barred from standing for re-election in 2028, the danger is he will seek to hold on to power by other means.”  

And Matthew Hooton concludes by saying: “The US enters its most dangerous period since 1861, the start of the Civil War.”  

I’m not buying into that. What about you?  

I think I’m going to trust my gut instinct more often. &nbsp;
Because yesterday, I didn’t like the idea of it, but my gut was telling me that Donald Trump was going to win the presidential election. &nbsp;
And because I’m going to listen to my gut instinct more often, today I’m going to tell you that —even if we don't like it— we need to calm the farm a bit with all the hyperbole being thrown around. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Because even though things are a little bit different this time around, did the world fall apart last time Trump was president? It didn’t. &nbsp;
He’s another one of those people who you know is just making stuff up —and you know they’re a nasty piece of work— but somehow people fall for them. And enough people have fallen for Donald Trump. Again. &nbsp; &nbsp;
But even though I felt he was going to take it out, I was still blown away with how the numbers looked from the start. &nbsp;
Because you know what it’s like with elections and how the early stages of counting can skew things quite a bit – which is what I was thinking when I kept refreshing the screen on the phone following the results yesterday afternoon. &nbsp;
But those Electoral College numbers just kept piling up for Trump. But, unlike last time he won, I wasn’t in the least bit surprised. &nbsp;
There are some aspects that did surprise me. Example: the move in support from black voters —especially African American men— from Democrat to Republican. &nbsp;
But even then, that shouldn’t really be a surprise when you consider how Trump campaigned. Where he just kept asking voters the rhetorical question: are you better off now than you were four years ago? &nbsp;&nbsp;
And that’s a question that’s relevant to anyone from any cultural background. And it seems, for enough of them, the answer to that question was “no”. No, we’re not better off. &nbsp;
And that, it seems, is what it came down to for the Americans who not only voted Trump back in as president but who also put the Republicans in charge of the Senate. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Which is bringing some dire warnings today. Which I think would be very easy for me —or for anyone— to jump on board with. Because I think for a lot of people their default position is anti-Trump. Even though I think he’s a horrible person, I’m not going to switch to default. &nbsp;
When I watched him making his big victory speech, I did wonder how many of his cronies who were on that stage with him will still be with him in four years time. There will be some casualties, we know that. &nbsp;
And he made it very clear that America is going to be his first priority. In fact, he said that. &nbsp;
But, on the basis that the world didn’t fall to bits last time he was president, I’m not buying into the hysteria. I could be proven wrong, but that’s my gut instinct. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
Unlike political commentator Matthew Hooton who is putting a very dire warning in the NZ Herald today, under the headline: “America entering most dangerous period since 1861”. &nbsp;
He’s saying today: “The world enters its most dangerous period since World War II, with Trump threatening to abandon Ukraine, withdraw the US’s security in Europe which will encourage Russia’s Vladimir Putin to expand his ambitions westward, launch a global trade war and collapse the World Trade Organisation.” &nbsp;
Matthew Hooton goes on to say: “Trump has also promised to jail his political opponents. He made similar threats in 2016 that he did not act upon, but back then his circle included at least some people who could be relied upon to keep his most extreme tendencies in check. &nbsp;
“There are no such people around him this time. Nor is he constrained by the need to worry about re-election. &nbsp;
“Barred from standing for re-election in 2028, the danger is he will seek to hold on to power by other means.” &nbsp;
And Matthew Hooton concludes by saying: “The US enters its most dangerous period since 1861, the start of the Civil War.” &nbsp;
I’m not buying into that. What about you? &nbsp;

John MacDonald: I'm not buying into the Trump hysteria

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6d814833-48dd-4da5-9e98-b2210008f309/transcript

Historic. Knife edge. Too close to call. That’s what they’re all saying about today’s presidential election in the States.

What you never see though, splashed across the screens on CNN and Sky News and BBC, is “gut instinct”.

My gut tells me that it’s going to be Donald Trump. And, this is the great thing about gut instinct, it doesn't really matter whether you’re wrong or right - it’s just how you feel about something.

And I’ve got this feeling that Trump is going to take it out.

And the reason I feel that way can be summed-up in one word: change.

When it comes to elections, people love change. The media loves change. But voters, especially, love change.

And you’ve got to give Trump credit for doing something Kamala Harris hasn’t done - and that is to do a much better job of selling the idea of change. Trump still represents change. Just like he did back in 2016. He still does now.

I think no one would disagree that Joe Biden stepping aside and letting Kamala Harris run for president was a no-brainer, it just took Joe a while to come ‘round to the idea.

But that is where the change started and stopped for the Democrats. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

From a distance —and this is the danger when you judge politicians from a distance— but, from where I sit, Harris wins hands down.

But I don’t think she deserves to be the next president. And I am confident that enough Americans will feel the same way and that’s why I think enough of them will give their vote to Donald Trump and he will be the next president.

When she did that first TV debate after she took over as the Democrats candidate from Joe Biden, I watched that and thought she had it in the bag.

When Trump came up with all that nonsense about immigrants eating people’s dogs and cats, I thought she handled all that beautifully. And I thought he had blown it – not just with the dogs and cats stuff but all the rambling.

And the rambling hasn’t stopped, of course. The stuff that comes out of his mouth is nonsense half the time - if not most of the time. But, if there’s one thing going for Trump —certainly in the eyes of American voters— it’s that he oozes change.

You know he’s going to shake things up. You know he’s going to say what he really thinks. You know that he’s all talk about loving Puerto Ricans and all that nonsense about protecting women and making America great again.

It’s all nonsense. It’s all awful. But compare that to Kamala Harris —and put it through the filter of voters loving change— and he wins hands down.

Ever since that TV debate —where she was the obvious stand-out— I’ve found her talk of change hollow, to say the least.

As someone said to me last night when she was on the TV news saying it’s time for change and time to do things differently and it’s time to end the division - someone else who was watching said to me ‘hasn’t she been part of this so-called problem over the past 10 years?’

And, for me, it’s got to the point where I think the majority of American voters will be thinking the same thing.

Historic. Knife edge. Too close to call. That’s what they’re all saying about today’s presidential election in the States.
What you never see though, splashed across the screens on CNN and Sky News and BBC, is “gut instinct”.
My gut tells me that it’s going to be Donald Trump. And, this is the great thing about gut instinct, it doesn't really matter whether you’re wrong or right - it’s just how you feel about something.
And I’ve got this feeling that Trump is going to take it out.
And the reason I feel that way can be summed-up in one word: change.
When it comes to elections, people love change. The media loves change. But voters, especially, love change.
And you’ve got to give Trump credit for doing something Kamala Harris hasn’t done - and that is to do a much better job of selling the idea of change. Trump still represents change. Just like he did back in 2016. He still does now.
I think no one would disagree that Joe Biden stepping aside and letting Kamala Harris run for president was a no-brainer, it just took Joe a while to come ‘round to the idea.
But that is where the change started and stopped for the Democrats. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
From a distance —and this is the danger when you judge politicians from a distance— but, from where I sit, Harris wins hands down.
But I don’t think she deserves to be the next president. And I am confident that enough Americans will feel the same way and that’s why I think enough of them will give their vote to Donald Trump and he will be the next president.
When she did that first TV debate after she took over as the Democrats candidate from Joe Biden, I watched that and thought she had it in the bag.
When Trump came up with all that nonsense about immigrants eating people’s dogs and cats, I thought she handled all that beautifully. And I thought he had blown it – not just with the dogs and cats stuff but all the rambling.
And the rambling hasn’t stopped, of course. The stuff that comes out of his mouth is nonsense half the time - if not most of the time. But, if there’s one thing going for Trump —certainly in the eyes of American voters— it’s that he oozes change.
You know he’s going to shake things up. You know he’s going to say what he really thinks. You know that he’s all talk about loving Puerto Ricans and all that nonsense about protecting women and making America great again.
It’s all nonsense. It’s all awful. But compare that to Kamala Harris —and put it through the filter of voters loving change— and he wins hands down.
Ever since that TV debate —where she was the obvious stand-out— I’ve found her talk of change hollow, to say the least.
As someone said to me last night when she was on the TV news saying it’s time for change and time to do things differently and it’s time to end the division - someone else who was watching said to me ‘hasn’t she been part of this so-called problem over the past 10 years?’
And, for me, it’s got to the point where I think the majority of American voters will be thinking the same thing.

John MacDonald: What my gut instinct is telling me about the US presidency

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/151de146-8fc6-4301-ac61-b21f0184e6c2/transcript

Labour is lamenting the Treaty Principles Bill even seeing the light of day.  

David Seymour's controversial bill will be introduced in Parliament tomorrow.  

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says if implemented it would throw away years of legal precedent.  

He told John MacDonald that National allowing the bill to get this far is irresponsible.  

Hipkins says Labour wouldn't introduce anything it wasn't interested in taking further.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Labour is lamenting the Treaty Principles Bill even seeing the light of day. &nbsp;
David Seymour's controversial bill will be introduced in Parliament tomorrow. &nbsp;
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says if implemented it would throw away years of legal precedent. &nbsp;
He told John MacDonald that National allowing the bill to get this far is irresponsible. &nbsp;
Hipkins says Labour wouldn't introduce anything it wasn't interested in taking further. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Chris Hipkins: Labour Leader on the US Election, Treaty Principles Bill, AI use in schools

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8bab2ebc-850e-4308-be5a-b21f016e5a61/transcript

Miriam Margolyes: Award winning actress talks her career, reading, the Isaac Theatre Royal Variety Gala, and being in Christchurch

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