Shearer reaffirmed as Labour leader, Cunliffe demoted

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Shearer reaffirmed as Labour leader

3News NZ

David Shearer (Getty)

David Shearer (Getty)

David Shearer has been reaffirmed as leader of the Labour Party this afternoon after a “unanimous endorsement” from his caucus.

And the man who wouldn’t rule out challenging him, David Cunliffe, has been stripped of his portfolios and front bench seat, and sent to the backbenches.

“David Cunliffe’s actions have been disappointing and I no longer have confidence in him - he doesn't have my trust,” Mr Shearer told media this afternoon.  

"Ultimately, what I see this as is moving us forward. As a leader, this was necessary for us to move forward.”

Mr Shearer says he wants to put the leadership challenge behind him and move on, and is confident he can again win the vote in February.

“I have full confidence that there is no issue there.”

Mr Shearer called the meeting yesterday to put leadership problems to bed and seek an endorsement of confidence from his colleagues.

Today, he says he got that endorsement and his party can move forward.

The ordeal comes after Mr Cunliffe failed to rule out a challenge to Mr Shearer’s leadership at the party’s weekend conference, which overshadowed policy announcements.

Voting protocol for the leadership was changed at the conference, meaning a party-wide vote on the leader would be prompted if 40 percent of caucus voted against an incumbent.

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Comments

21/11/2012 9:00:42 a.m.

eddie wrote:

@ Kathy, don't think you know that the voters of NZ 'think/want' to the same degree as what you want/desire. I can assure you National will campaign hard and show The Greens in power with labour (Greens getting ministerial portfolios) would be disasterous and be like a communist state where Norman prints money and taxes the main exporters of NZ to death as well as anyone earning over the 'rich prick' salary of just $60K...I can assure you middle NZ will not vote for Labour knowing it's a vote for The Greens, National will get over 50% on their own come 2014 thanks to the loopy Greens and Labour crumbling and bitching amongst them selves....sorted!

21/11/2012 8:53:57 a.m.

Brad wrote:

Kathy, you are completely wrong. I'd say that National supporters really dont care what is happening inside the Labour party.

However, what most voters (not just National party supporters) want to see is stability and consistency.

With the flaky, fumbling, bumbling approach of Shearer, the knife wielding Cunliffe in the back ground and the possibility of an unstable left leaning four party (Lab, Greens, NZF & Mana) government in 2014 is extremely unpalatable for the majority of Kiwis.

20/11/2012 11:58:06 p.m.

Kathy wrote:

A lot of die hard National Party fans that think they know the goings on inside the labour party. Its quite hillarious really. What hasnt changed is National are below 49 percent in the polls and none of their current support partners look likely to hold seats at the next election. Meaning National will take them, they will still only have 44 percent support and be unable to govern. Whether labour is weak or not is irrespective of the fact that people are deserting National because of Keys dishonesty.

20/11/2012 10:46:43 p.m.

Da wrote:

Not gonna bother voting neither parties at the next election now and throw my vote away.

20/11/2012 9:33:28 p.m.

Clem Pinto wrote:

@Katrina : I think the old guard persuaded Mr Shearer to act the way he did. Don't know what they were thinking, but in my opinion, were not thinking straight or with wisdom. Foolish.

20/11/2012 8:49:09 p.m.

Katrina wrote:

Shearer obviously felt threatened. Cunliffe probably had the quiet support of a lot of Labour MPs but they would have been looking after their own butts or else they too would have risked being culled.

20/11/2012 7:58:00 p.m.

Clem Pinto wrote:

I support Mr Shearer as a man of integrity and a potentially great PM, but unfortunately he has made a VERY BIG mistake today by demoting Mr Cunliffe. The whole saga was primarily manufactured by journos and media speculation and by unfair questioning of Mr Cunliffe. We are in a democracy and Labour party is a democratic organisation. Mr Cunliffe did nor challenge Mr Shearer and in fact he gave his support to Mr Shearer. It is unfair to ask any MP what their future position would be! That clearly depends on as yet unknown factors such as whether Shearer performs well in the future and on how the MPs and the grassroot Labour party members feel at that time. Remember at one time, as reported, Goff, King as well as Cullen made moves to roll Helen! I think Mr Shearer should not have demoted Cunliffe but instead worked to improve his own performance to gain the required loyalty on merit from Mr Cunliffe and the wider party. The way Shearer has handled this is unwise and will harm the party. A very disapointing shame. Not good.

20/11/2012 7:55:41 p.m.

Linda Smith wrote:

what a shame Labour didn't make the most of this chance and change the leader. David Shearer is not a popular choice amongst staunch Labour voters. I would rather see David Cunliffe. I will be voting for Green and Russell Norman next time round. Labour you have lost the plot and not listening to the voters.

20/11/2012 7:12:45 p.m.

Ruz wrote:

Well now the lines have been drawn. If Cunliffe has been less than enthusiastic about Shearers leadership, then he is now Shearers enemy. Right now Cunliffe will take a back seat and watch as Shearer struggles to bring Labour back up in the polls. When the Labour caucus realise that Shearer has no hope of winning in 2014 they will move to get rid of him. While Cunliffe may not replace him he will quietly orchestrate a coup and enthusiastically support whoever challenges. In the end Cunliffe may have the last laugh and in the process single out those who have spoken against him. This is better than reality TV because none of it will be faked.

20/11/2012 7:06:53 p.m.

David wrote:

Goodbye Labour Party.