By Jerram Watts
Labour leader Phil Goff has the full support of his party leading into the next election, party president Andrew Little says.
Mr Goff went into damage control Thursday evening after MP Chris Carter circulated an anonymous letter to journalists stating plans to undermine Mr Goff’s leadership.
A part of the letter read: “There is general outrage that in an unguarded media moment Goff bucked the caucus and CTU position that the 4th week was not tradable for cash and essentially supported Key’s position. This issue has brought to a head the growing discontent in the caucus with both Goff’s leadership style and his poor polling. David Cunliffe has a big smile on his face and many in the caucus now expect a move against Goff and King before the election.”
Read Chris Carter’s full letter here
Mr Goff immediately confronted Mr Carter about the letter – Carter’s handwriting was recognised on the envelope – and expelled him from the caucus.
“Chris Carter has no future in the Labour Party that I lead,” Mr Goff said.
The Te Atatu MP says he chose to circulate the letter because he feels Mr Goff does not have what it takes to win the next election.
“The reasons why I did it, is I wanted to create a little snowball which I hope would run down a hillside and become an avalanche and change the leadership – somebody had to do it,” he said on Campbell Live last night.
See Chris Carter's full interview on Campbell Live here
Despite the damaging revelations, Labour Party president Andrew Little says the party is behind Mr Goff 100 percent.
“The party organisation has been based on Phil leading the party into the general election next year, I fully expect that that will happen and we’re proceeding on that basis. There is no wish to replace the party leader.
“We’ll get through this and we’ll continue but it’s unfortunate that these things happen; you can’t predict or control everything.”
Mr Carter has expressed his desire to continue to run as a Labour MP, despite the likelihood he will be expelled from the party during a vote on August 7.
“I’ll be there [in Te Atatu] as a Labour MP; if my Labour title has been officially removed from me, it will still stay with me, I will still be supporting Labour 100 percent.”
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