On this day in politics: 'Uranium on your breath'

On this day in politics: 'Uranium on your breath'
Photo credit: Getty Images.

Today marks the 34th anniversary of New Zealand's most iconic political quip.

At Oxford Union on March 1, 1985, then-New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange was arguing the affirmative in a debate titled "Nuclear Weapons are Morally Indefensible."

His opposition was American TV evangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell, who in a particularly heated exchange, pressed Mr Lange with:

"Whether you are snuggling up to the bomb, or living in the peaceful shadow of the bomb, New Zealand benefits, sir, and that's the question with which we charge you, and that's the question to which we would like an answer."

The Prime Minister, relaxed and smirking, fired back.

"I'm going to give it to you if you hold your breath just for a moment... I can smell the uranium on it as you lean towards me."


It was a retort that made headlines across the world and crystalised years of steadily building anti-nuclear sentiment in Aotearoa.  

Soon after the Oxford debate, in 1987, New Zealand formally adopted an anti-nuclear stance by passing the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act.

The U.S swiftly retaliated by passing an act which conspicuously downgraded New Zealand's official status from 'ally' to 'friend' and cooled diplomatic ties for decades to follow.

These days the exchange is still inspiring Kiwis, even spawning its own beer label from Mash Palace brewery, 'Uranium Breath IPA'.

Before his death in 2005 David Lange reflected on the impact of his words, writing in his autobiography:

"Not one of the best [speeches] I’ve ever made, but it was the one which mattered most".

Newshub Nation.

Newshub Nation will return 9:30am Saturday March 2nd, 2019. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Newshub Nation is supported by New Zealand on Air.