Labour's next leader: what are the options?

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Tue, 29 Nov 2011 6:02p.m.

Grant Robertson, David Shearer, David Parker and David Cunliffe are vying for Labour leadership

Grant Robertson, David Shearer, David Parker and David Cunliffe are vying for Labour leadership

By Duncan Garner

The five contenders for Labour's leadership have already started lining up to say why they're the most attractive option.

When 3 News asked David Cunliffe earlier today if he wanted the top job, he showed all the boring diplomacy you'd expect of a former diplomat.

“I want to honour Phil Goff and the role he's played, he's been energetic and true to labour's values,” he said.

• Mr Goff’s full announcement
• Extended interviews with Labour 's contenders

But hours later Mr Goff was gone and Mr Cunliffe put his hand up, with his running mate and potential deputy Nanaia Mahuta by his side.

“We will be the ticket that brings energy, vision, and goodwill to the communities of New Zealand,” he said.

“We will take Labour to victory in 2014.”

Another contender is David Parker, who said “no comment” this morning but later fronted to say he was the best choice.

“I believe I'm the man who can make Labour relevant to New Zealand again,” he said.

“I’m as ruthless as you need to be to be a leader.”

Another MP who wants to be either leader or deputy is Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson, who is a former advisor to Helen Clark.

He says he’s putting himself forward as either leader or deputy.

“I believe I have something to offer – leader or deputy. I'm not making that call.”

Some of the initial options to replace Mr Goff are Mr Cunliffe and Ms Mahuta as a ticket, Mr Parker and Mr Robertson – but not as a ticket – and David Shearer, a talented new MP.  

A very real Kiwi bloke who has worked in war zones, Mr Shearer says he’d “love to have the job”.

“This is what you get into politics for… I’m new, I’m fresh, and I’ve built teams in pretty difficult situations.”

Mr Cunliffe says if he becomes leader he wants Labour to learn from the dismal election result and “reconnect with our communities across New Zealand”.

However, Mr Cunliffe isn't overly popular amongst his colleagues, and both Labour staffers and MPs have told 3 News privately that he let Mr Goff down during the campaign.

Mr Cunliffe says that’s “people positioning” and should be taken with a grain of salt.
So the lobbying begins in what threatens to be a nasty behind the scenes tussle.

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Comments

30 Nov 2011 03:07p.m.

tom wrote:

Why did Phil Goff stand down for? I think he's better than all the candidates. Grant Robertson for leader of Labour and and David Shearer for deputy.

30 Nov 2011 11:40a.m.

David wrote:

I am a non-citizen and hopes that David Cunliffe gets a chance to lead the Labour Party. I have worked with David and he is not only brilliant, but a very qenuine person and friend. Kiwi's will definitely benefit from this man leadership qualities. He truly cares about the welfare of his people. I have been a long time friend from Micronesia. Best wishes to all New Zealanders. David W. Panuelo

30 Nov 2011 06:22a.m.

Fellowes wrote:

David Cunliffe, by a country mile. Besides, Key and the media are making slurs against him already, so they obviously see him as the greatest threat to National.

30 Nov 2011 02:17a.m.

RolanTheRat wrote:

They may as well go out onto the street and pick the first person who walks by.They might be better off because none of he above are any good.

30 Nov 2011 01:48a.m.

Robyn wrote:

As a 20-something voter if these are the only choices it seems i'll be sticking with the green party at the next election. Ironicly they come off as fresh and clean unlike the dusty old shelf Labour has become.

29 Nov 2011 10:00p.m.

RobertM wrote:

Surely we need something fresh. A third of the electorate was so disatisfied with the Goff-Parker or Key-Joyce rhetoric and strategy at the general election that they didn't vote.
There is a need to go past the cynicism and calculation of the Labour vision of Cullen and Maharey which essentially followed the Blair-Brown strategy in the UK and pitched to angry 20% of lower middle class angry voters. I believe in NZ both the top 20% and bottom 30% are essentially disinfranchised by the middleground strategy and rhetoric of all parties. The age of the Clintons trianglation politics should be over. A Cunlffe-Jones ticket would be the best bet for change and the end of policy setting by polsters and right wing sociologists.

29 Nov 2011 09:02p.m.

Think wrote:

"The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea, acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers." Tragedy and Hope. Take the RED THINKING pill readers before its too late.

29 Nov 2011 08:46p.m.

Ruz wrote:

The next Labour Prime Minister will be Andrew Little. He will take Labour to victory in 2017. Parker and Cunliffe can fight it out in the meantime, and there is no question that they will do much better than Goff in 2014, but an examination of the history of the political cycle says that they will not oust John Key.

29 Nov 2011 08:45p.m.

Erik wrote:

seems strange to me that someone who was not elected to parliament, but had to get in on the list, David Parker, would want to be leader. Leaders should be elected on a seat in my view, not get in on the party sympathy vote. David Shearer simply has not done the hard work to deserve the position. Cunliffe comes off as very up himself. Mahuta, again like Robertson really haven't done enough for the position of deputy. But this is what happens when you have such old talent and nothing of substance. Although a hot head and often taking an early shower, if I was to select a deputy it would be Mallard.

29 Nov 2011 08:01p.m.

Waata wrote:

Whoever is chosen as Labour leader must always walk the talk. Be an exampler to the Party and have the desire and passion to serve the people.