Leadership woes remain for Shearer

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Leadership woes remain for Shearer

3News NZ

Labour leader David Shearer

Labour leader David Shearer

By Brook Sabin

Labour leader David Shearer spent the day trying to shake off leadership woes, wanting to talk about his plan to build 100,000 affordable homes.

But the ‘C’ word – Cunliffe - was never far away. In fact, David Cunliffe's supporters could be about to launch an attack.  

Just when Mr Shearer thought he had plugged the holes in his leadership doubts, Mr Cunliffe's electorate committee is considering laying a complaint with the party, over comments made by fellow MPs - such as comments by Chris Hipkins, who said: “Clearly [Mr Cunliffe] has been willing to undermine the current leader, just as he undermined the last leader.”

But Mr Shearer isn't fazed.

“As far as we're concerned this issue is behind us,” he says.

Prime Minister John Key couldn't resist a dig.

“They fundamentally do not like each other, they fundamentally do not trust each other and this is only round one,” says Mr Key.

When the plan to build 100,000 homes finally came up, Mr Shearer was left defending his numbers.

The project has been costed at $1.5 billion, but there are doubts on how many sections will be needed which raises questions on how accurate that costing is.

Mr Cunliffe's electorate committee will decide in the next few days whether to lay a complaint, a move which could well keep attention on Mr Shearer's leadership.

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Comments

23/11/2012 6:13:39 a.m.

alison wrote:

A true leader wouldnt be having these problems. Labour needs to get back to basics.

21/11/2012 10:02:09 p.m.

David Gilbert wrote:

I think David Shearer has burnt his own backside here,In taking the port folios from David Cunliffe,and moved him to the back benches.David Cuncliff has friends in the party that could ruin the chance that Labor ever returning to leading the government for a very long time.He Cunliffe could spill the beans on what ever goes on,behind closed doors at the labor party meetings and take it back too the National party in respite for Shearers handling of the whole issue.This whole saga is like a fly in the ointment jar,and it is seen as a very poor joke indeed of the wanting too lead the Labor party,Just wait till the Government returns to parliament on Tuesday 27th,National will have a birthday over this lot,to divert away from what is going on in the country proper.Cunliffe!s back ground just shows one how bright he is,and leaves David Shearers back ground a miss.This in fighting over leadership does no good,and makes people just wonder what the hell is going on.With all the other parties they seem to be happy to tag along and steady as it goes.I just wonder if it is the Job,the money,or is it travel? I would say the latter for the now PM,comes back to NZ for a holiday.Stirs more bees up in the Beehive and then takes off again till the dust settles.

21/11/2012 8:17:18 p.m.

wtf wrote:

When will this end? This country needs an effective opposition with a coherent leadership team and strong policies. GET IT SORTED.

21/11/2012 8:14:33 p.m.

Nancy wrote:

After the unfair, unmerited, unwise treatment meted out to Cunliffe by Shearer on the advice of his senior pollies for a media driven non crisis, I have turned from being a supporter of Shearer, to now being a supporter of Cunliffe. Strange.

21/11/2012 8:10:31 p.m.

eddie wrote:

Heehee, as a National voter...this is georgeous as it will expose The Greens to more scrutiny as they have had a free pass of serious questions from MSM on 'wheres the money', great soundbites, no pressure to validate funding as Labour were their tailcoats...pass the popcorn...opposition left block is collapsing :)

21/11/2012 7:49:36 p.m.

Dan wrote:

The accuracy of the initial costing does not matter that much because the money from the sales of the houses is going to build new houses. These are cheap compact houses that are going to be SOLD, that's the important issue here. It will be a huge step up for those that are poor but are serious about moving forward financially and it won't do much for those that are poor and lazy. There will be the expected big debate about how much land it will take up but it's important to remember that the houses will be compact and that there will be houses, 100,000 of them, which is a lot and will drastically reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.