To the Labour caucus and General Secretary,
Thank you for taking the time to read this message. I send it on my own behalf and not representing my LEC or Branch.
I would like to express my concern for the possible outcome of the current election. The general public, and Labour members in all polls so far have shown a very strong preference for one candidate, and the unions are beginning to do the same. Much as last time when you selected David Shearer instead of the overwhelming favourite, there is a possibility that a strong caucus vote in favour of Grant Robertson could see him win against the will of members and the wider public who are looking for a credible alternative to the current government.
The party membership fought hard to win the chance to have an effective input into the election of the party leader. I think it would be most unwise of caucus to think there would be general acceptance of a leader that is once again forced upon them by a caucus showing little regard for the preferences of the membership and the wider electorate. The process so far has been an exciting and invigorating one to be part of and to witness, but I fear that caucus underestimate the damage of letting old grudges and factionalism triumph over commonsense.
Opinion polling has already shown a clear and considerable preference for David Cunliffe among the membership, and more importantly, the wider public. The membership will be expected to be the campaign on the ground, the wider public will be expected to give you their vote. I respect the right of caucus members to vote for their preference. But your preference should reflect on the issues that we would hope mean the most to you; strengthening the party and winning the next election.
I believe there will continue to be disunity if caucus once more foists a leader on the party that makes the whole point of this process obsolete. In fact, after fighting for the right to participate in choosing the leader, if this process turns out to be hollow, I believe there will be a much stronger level of disunity than we have seen in recent times, so much that a National party victory will could be confirmed with the announcement of the Labour leadership winner this Sunday.
I hope this email is received in the way it is intended to be, with respect for you all, and as a caring party member and voter who wishes for the best for both the party and the country.
Kind regards,
Michael Nolan
Rangitata LEC
Timaru Branch
Tell it like it is: “An Open Letter to Trevor Mallard”.
Actual lol. I’d love to have seen the look on Trougher Mallard’s face when he saw those opinion polls!
“Opinion polling has already shown a clear and considerable preference for David Cunliffe among the membership, and more importantly, the wider public.” – This is a vital point.
This vote needs to be about winning the next election, not about petty intra-party politics. Labour doesn’t deserve anybody’s vote if that is what this decision comes down to.
” …….and more importantly, the wider public.” – This is a vital point.”
Indeed it is a vital point because that ‘wider public’ includes many who were once loyal LP suppotas, and who became disillusioned with the shift right – and as far as I can see, simply when all said and done, because of ego and self-interest.
I agree (and with lessons learned from Australia), an electorate does not like disunity. The 3 candidates have mentioned that as a priority to try and rectify.
BUT … JUST as important is their ability to differentiate themselves from an existing regime. (Many perceive Labour as simply National-lite – as indeed I do)
So not only unity, but differentiation from the business as usual.
So far – given the 3 candidates frolicking and campaigning
– only Cunliffe fits the bill (albeit having had an epiphany)
– Robertson rides on a carpet (albeit with limited flying hours and still trying to get its wings) of loyalty and supporting ‘leadership’ – whether its destructive, whether it subscribes to very un-Labour principles – basically ego-centric and self-interested – and propped up with matronly-entitled-my-boy bullshit
– and Shane – eeee Boy Jones – (did he go to Te Aute btw?) desperately trying to pull the big con. In another time and place – we could just as easily see him hook up with a Soimun Brudgizz – using and abusing heritage and ethnicity, depending on need and circumstance.
Labour will elect the candidate – probably at their peril -given that they’ve had a habit of shooting themselves in the foot.
This time, I was, and am hoping for something different.
Will, good luck with that!!…not sure those self serving idiots who are the ABC’s (as Martyn puts it) in caucus are listening.?? I just made a couple of very polite but straight to the point comments on Labour’s facebk page..seems like the truth hurts cause they wiped my message…pathetic Good luck David Cunliffe with that lot.
I’m a bit confused. David Cunliffe has two campaign pages, by the look of it. The one linked to at the top of every page on the daily blog, currently with 2794 followers. Then there is another one https://www.facebook.com/david.cunliffe.labour that has 5056 followers. Both are being updated with the same posts by Cunliffe’s campaign team, it seems. The latter page suggests even more support for Cunliffe than the former’s considerable support.
The one with over 5000 likes was original his profile. He changed it to a like page once he hit the friend limit.
I found it cynical in the extreme of Grant Robertson to discount the public opinion polls saying they don’t have a say, only Labour members do…
The Labour membership and (most especially) the Caucus should be taking note of precisely this kind of polling. Especially the polls that say Cunliffe has the best chance of beating John Key and becoming the next Prime Minister.
Labour ignores the public at its own peril.
It does seem that the ghost of Roger Douglas still inhabits the Labour Party. To the point of putting up not one but two candidates against the person most likely to win the next election should he become leader.
Exactly – what point is there in snatching a crooked crown at the cost of [yet another] 3 years in opposition? The way these candidates are profiling with voters outside the Labour party is of great importance.
We have repeatedly heard the 3 candidates say that they will bring unity to the caucus, but that is only half of what is required. The caucus need to grow up and make sure that they work in a constructive and productive manor and work in unity with the new leader. If they cant make that commitment then its time for them to go, simple as that.
It’s really very simple. Listen to the people or become the 3rd placed political party at the next election. If you put yourselves first, not only will you hand the country back to Key, for him to whore off to the highest bidder, but you will also be looking for another job next year. Good luck with that.
My message to labour MPs – if David Cunliffe is not elected leader I will be resigning membership of the Labour Party – this will be a watershed
Many of us feel exactly the same. They’ve had a lift in membership of 15 percent – If Cunliffe is not elected Leader watch that and a whole lot more drift away – forever this time!!
It is obvious that the Robertson camp,just like the Shearer camp were,are, out of touch with the feeling of the Party membership, and the Labour voting public.It is clear that Cunliffe is, at this time, the preferred choice for leader, in the opinion polls, and also by the majority of the affiliated unions.If it comes down to preference scenario and that is a possibility and Jones, goes in favour of Robinson,or vice verser and the majority of caucus votes that is, 150 per caucus member to 1 party members vote goes in favour of Jones or Robertson, in my opinion the Labour will most certainly be dog tucker at the next election due to the members deserting them in droves.
It should be noted that the Robertson, camp are getting desperate, with yesterdays claim by Claire Curran, that the Cunliffe camp are running a smear campaign around Robertson!s sexuality.
It should be made clear to people like Claire Curran, to get in touch with reality, and understand for quite a number of Labour voters a candidates sexuality is of concern to them.
Just in case i am not homophobic just a realist.
It’s far worse than that.
Anyone see the live interview over at stuff? Seems Curran dug up a comment from before the campaign and used it to suggest that Cunliffe’s team were smearing – wow, so Claire Curran goes down in history as the first (and so far only) person to make a dirty move in this campaign.
Unfortunately it has cost Jenny Michie her job.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9147668/Cunliffe-sacks-campaign-worker
As the article notes:
‘He reiterated that the comment was made before Michie joined his campaign team and she had been told to make no further comments.’
So Clare Curran dug up past comments and broadcast them to smear someone, losing them their job in the process.
Nice move, Curran – history will note that the ABCs are the ones who soured the atmosphere at Labour’s first open leadership contest.
Misleading headline. Cunliffe stood Jenny down from his campaign to send a clear message to the membership, the public and the press that he wont tolerate even a whiff of a rumour of homophobia.
In reality, it simply provided an opportunity to show that Cunliffe is a decisive leader with high and consistent standards and he came through with flying colours.
Jenny continues to be a hard working member of the Labour Party.
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