David Cunliffe’s statement

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I am today announcing that I have decided not to nominate for the 2014 Labour Party leadership contest.

It has been a hard decision to make but it is one that I believe is in the best interests of the wider Labour Party.

There is so much work to do on behalf of those who don’t have a voice within the current government. It is important that Labour is in fighting shape to do that.

To truly serve New Zealanders we must first win government.  To do that we need a united caucus and party.  I believe that although I retain broad support around the party, the time has come to step aside.

Which is why, in withdrawing I am throwing my personal support behind Andrew Little’s bid for the leadership.  I have enormous respect for Andrew and his integrity. I believe he is the right man for the job.

In talking to him over recent days, I know he has a strong vision that is driven by Labour Party values.

I believe Andrew will achieve greater cohesion across the caucus, and get the process of listening to New Zealanders underway quickly – both with voters and those hundreds of thousands who chose not to vote in the September election.

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I have discussed my endorsement with a range of my supporters over the past days, including Maori and Pasifica representatives and a broad range of Labour Party members and supporting affiliates. They are personally very supportive and understand my reasons.  I have expressed my view that they will have a strong and supportive voice with Andrew as leader.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me, both inside the party and my family and friends. You have given me strength and courage at the times it has been needed most.

It has been an absolute privilege to lead the New Zealand Labour Party. I am intending to stay in Parliament and continue to serve my Party and my constituents.

Labour’s values and mission are more important today than ever.

11 COMMENTS

  1. If Andrew wins the race, and I certainly hope he does, it will give New Plymouth voters something to think about. They could have been represented by a leader of the opposition and future prime minister but instead, we are yet again stuck with the Clayton’s MP, Jonathon Young who has turned out to be a total fizzer. I hope Andrew returns to the New Plymouth electorate, but wouldn’t blame him if he ran elsewhere after the poor support he has received here.

    • So to paraphrase, he didn’t lose New Plymouth – the voters were to stupid to realise his awesomeness. They don’t deserve to have him as a MP so you advocating he stands elsewhere?

  2. Yes Vern Youngs scion is a bit of a dickhead. Andrew will never win in blue NP unfortunately. They could get a monkey to stand (I think they did) in New Plymouth and he would get in. Which reminds me, why the hell does poor zombie Wanganui keep voting national…are they thick down there?
    Hoping Andrew wins this fight though.

    • Didn’t you read that in Whanganui they have their own Minister? Chester Borrows, The Minister of Wanganui Collegiate.

    • Because Wanganui now covers a large area of Southern Taranaki. The city itself is fairly red, but the rural area turns it blue.

      Like many provincial seats, as they stretch further into rural country, they become more and more blue. Short of dramatically scaling back the boundaries (or a split right-wing vote, like Napier), it’s unlikely they will ever turn red again.

  3. “I believe that although I retain broad support around the party, the time has come to step aside.
    Which is why, in withdrawing I am throwing my personal support behind Andrew Little’s bid for the leadership. I have enormous respect for Andrew and his integrity. I believe he is the right man for the job.
    In talking to him over recent days, I know he has a strong vision that is driven by Labour Party values.
    I believe Andrew will achieve greater cohesion across the caucus, and get the process of listening to New Zealanders underway quickly – both with voters and those hundreds of thousands who chose not to vote in the September election.”

    DAVID CUNLIFFE

    All hell will break loose if this gamble doesn’t pay off and the Right take over the leadership of the Labour Party.

    A lot is riding on Andrew Little’s shoulders to pull this off.

    The Left have had just too much bad news already to receive any more.

    It is good news that Andrew Little has the trust and support of David Cunliffe he will need it. That they are working closely together to get a victory for the Left bodes well for the future.

    They make a strong team. And Andrew Little as Leader and David Cunliffe as deputy should be enough to keep the Right Wingers in the Labour caucus at bay. Enough to make some of the necessary real changes to Labour Party policy and strategy to win in 2017.

  4. I agree Glenn. A monkey would be a better candidate then any one from the Labour party at the moment.

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