By Patrick Gower
Phil Goff was out today with the Labour Party faithful.
But it's actually Goff's back that's against the wall.
His handling of the Darren Hughes affair means he's been forced to answer questions about just how much faith his colleagues have really got.
“I've heard of no leadership concerns, nor any difference of opinion on the decisons that I've taken,” he says.
You can't just take Goff's word for that.
So we spoke to the key players in any move against him: Shane Jones, David Cunliffe, David Parker and Grant Robertson.
They were upfront - there is no coup.
“You're free to talk to any parliamentarians on the Labour side and get their own opinion they'll tell you for themselves,” says Goff.
So we did - privately.
And they said:
"I wouldn't say I'm on Phil's side but there's no one else."
"A few of the guys are rattled but not enough for a spill."
"Come on Bro - who would want that job?"
“There is no question about my leadership, there never has been except from my political opponents,” says Goff.
Former Australian Labour Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's in the country and he knows all about leadership coups.
So what's his advice?
“The first law of foreign policy is don't interfere in anyone else’s stuff,” he says
But he was prepared to break that to give his mate Phil a plug.
“He is a good person, I know that from my own experience. And I wish him well in the future,” he says.
Goff's other problem is Hughes' vacant party list spot – it’s due to go to Judith Tizard.
He views her as a figure from the past and doesn't want her back.
“It’s for seven months, for some that might be regarded as disruptive,” he says.
But Tizard is undecided - she's got unfinished business.
“I'd love to make a valedictory speech,” she says.
And if she does - she really will be disruptive.
“The question is whether Phil Goff is the person to lead New Zealand and he's got to capture New Zealand's imagination and for New Zealand to see him as an alternative,” she says.
And that's exactly what her potential colleagues won't say in public.
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