Shearer routs Cunliffe for Labour leadership

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Tue, 13 Dec 2011 6:26p.m.

David Shearer

David Shearer

By Duncan Garner

It was a clear win for David Shearer.

Sources have told 3 News that he received almost twice as many votes as the other David - Cunliffe - when Labour MPs held a secret ballot on who should lead the party.

Mr Shearer says his goal now is to rebuild the party, and with the race for the leadership over, Mr Cunliffe is calling on the factions to unite.

Whoever left the caucus room first was always going to be the winner, and that Mr Shearer opened the door was no surprise.

With his deputy Grant Robertson in tow, they are Labour's new leadership team.

Both men only entered Parliament last term - now Mr Shearer, with his shy wave, holds the hopes of Labour supporters across the country.

"My priority is to get out and meet New Zealanders and listen, in the beach pubs, clubs and on the marae, and listen to what they want."

It was a secret vote - his opponent Mr Cunliffe arrived claiming it was still anyone's.

"It's very, very, very, very close," he said, but it wasn't.

3 News has been told by the Shearer camp that he got around 22 votes and Mr Cunliffe, just 12.

"There's only person who knows and she's not telling," says Mr Shearer.

Mr Shearer and his new deputy walked two flights of stairs after the vote to accept that after being thumped in the election, the rebuild begins now.

"Today is a new start and we begin by working towards a victory in 2014."

So Mr Shearer must now mould the factions. Will he give Mr Cunliffe a senior role - perhaps as finance spokesman?

"I need to sit down and talk to him, and I see him in a senior position," says Mr Shearer. "I recognise his talent."

"I am pledging all my support to the new leader," says Mr Cunliffe. "I have no leadership ambitions at this point."

Asked if he trusted Mr Cunliffe, Mr Shearer said: "Absolutely. He's a Labour man."
So now Mr Shearer must rebuild a party he admits has some problems.

"I'd like to be the party of ideas - it's got old-fashioned in its outlook."

Mr Shearer is an ordinary man - not a natural politician - and Labour needs to reconnect to real people.

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Comments

16 Dec 2011 12:38p.m.

Kiwi wrote:

I am sure Cunliffe will be and will behave as a poor loser.For Cunliffe to say "I have no leadership amibtions at this point.." contradicts his original intent before,during and after the election results.Cunliffe is an ego-seeker.For him to now realise those who preferred Shearer to him must have irked him alot.I wouldn't be surprised,and yet I am also hopeful,that he gets out of politics.Cunliffe thought he was a big fish in a little pond.He must now realise no-one thinks much of him.

14 Dec 2011 01:25a.m.

Memo wrote:

I don't agree that Key has the x factor...when faced with any well constructed question of initiatives he falters, blunders and panics. He is factually a creation of the media, a media who have chosen to overlook his inadequacies, and instead enveloped the guy in a cotton wool cocoon. However in saying all this I don't believe Shearer has what is required for the roll of Labour leader either. I don't believe he is spontaneous enough when under scrutiny and doesn't yet have enough schooling of the house required for the job. (And generally lacks charisma)!! His idea that he must immediately get out and fraternize with all potential converts in an attempt to resurrect support for the course will be in vain if he doesn't immediately make a stand, confront National and challenge their obsession of destroying what remains of our New Zealand sovereignty. I have serious doubts as to if labour will in fact ever be the party it was, it along with the Maori Party seem destined to abyss.

13 Dec 2011 11:58p.m.

Kim wrote:

I give it 3 months and he will sport a comb over as slick as Keys

13 Dec 2011 08:18p.m.

Ruz wrote:

The more I think about Shearer as the new leader of the Labour Party, the more I like it. The public detest politicians and a "politician" that seems less of the stereotype could become popular with ordinary New Zealanders. Key has the x factor so maybe Shearer can match that.

13 Dec 2011 08:13p.m.

Chris wrote:

Cunliff - "I have no leadership ambitions at this point."

Yea right ! Cunliffe will be sticking the knife in Shearer's back within a year. Probably sooner as soon as Shearer reveals the level of his incompetence and weakness which will be with a month or two. What a joke Labour are.