How long will Shearer last?
December 13th, 2011 at 1:57 pm by JadisBryce Edwards has an interesting piece on the Herald online. Bryce suggests it is a bold move to elect Shearer in the hopes he can go head-to-head with Key. Bold to the degree that Bryce suggests Shearer needs to perform within the next two years or he is gone; rolled by Robertson. I give Shearer eighteen months.
My learned Labour contacts suggested to me before the vote even took place that it didn’t really matter all that much who was elected Leader of Labour. Their view was that the victor would never be the next Labour Prime Minister. We are seeing Labour lurch from Phil ‘fill-in’ Goff to another fill-in guy. Shearer’s going to find it tough. He’s backed more by Labour’s old guard but without the real depth of relationships (or indeed institutional knowledge of the Party) while needing to reach out to the more progressive members of the Party. Shearer has a timeline worse than English ever had. Shearer may not even see an election.
And, despite the lauding of his CV and comparisons to Key, Shearer is no Key. Key had the opportunity to develop from the more helpful part of the electoral cycle, and proved himself head-to-head with Cullen first. Shearer has been rather clumsy in his debates to date, and that was against Cunliffe.
Let’s also take a look at Grant’s stellar record. Well, does he really have one? This is a guy that everyone likes. I do too. BUT has he really performed. He’s held two very substantial portfolios in the last term, Tertiary Education and also Health. He didn’t make any real public inroads into either portfolio area and certainly didn’t execute any great hits on Ministers, particularly Ryall in Health. Indeed, Health is usually relished by opposition parties because constituents come to opposition MPs with stories of hardship and difficulty within the health system. Usually, opposition MPs can pummel the Government with these stories of poor performance, waiting lists and more. Where was Grant on those stories? Biding his time, flying below the radar awaiting that moment where the “nice guy” can take over.
I suspect Grant will be a competent Deputy. He is good at organising people, taking on a role very much like a deputy Principal while Shearer shines in the public sphere. But why choose a guy like Grant to be your Deputy? He’s a likely contender to your own leadership who as the Deputy can stoke the fires at home (in the Leader’s corridor and in the House) while you take a nice road trip around the countryside letting the voting public get to know you.
And then there is Cunliffe. He can wait, watch and receive. Wait for it to turn to custard. Watch the Shearer lack of political experience while Robertson undermines. And, receive the “we should have chosen you” and “come to my office for a chat” conversations that will inevitably occur.
December 13th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
How long will Shearer last?
Depends on how well he steps up and delivers, depends on how much independence he can insist on from the old guard that got him there, depends on how well his party can unite, and depends on how much support he gets from his party.
And probably depends on a few other things like world economy and how well National manage this term.
My main hope with Shearer is that he can transform Labour into a positive political party – my main concern with Cunliffe was his negative streak and an apparent obsession with taking down prime ministers and sabtoaging governments.
Parties should have the good of the country at the top of their priorities. The better they can do for the country in opposition the more they will look like a government leader in waiting.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Heh. You strongly supported Shearer as best option. Now you’re saying he’s toast already. Some on the left would have things to say about that.
I actually agree with you – I think that Shearer is the best option now, and he won’t last to the election unless he really lifts his game.
[DPF: Look at the author line. The post is from Jadis, not me]
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Crikey David, that’s some fast destabilising talk…the dust hasn’t even settled!
[DPF: I'm not the author of this post]
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Jadis is the author of this post not DPF
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Robertson ran a truly awful campaign in Wellington Central. WC had the highest turnout in the country and yet Labour came third in the Party Votes 500 behind the Greens. This was the worst pounding of any Party vote in the country. The first time the Greens came 2nd in the all important vote. Robertson ran a personal campaign where his own name on hoardings was twice the size of the word Labour. He won the electorate with an increased majority but why did so few voters pick Labour. He was also poorly prepared for MTC meetings unlike 2008. He was complacent. He had few troops on the ground. Half as many hoardings as National. He was bested by Tony Ryall relentlessly and has asked to be relieved of his Health portfolio. He is ambitious and will seek to roll Shearer at the first opportunity.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Health is usually relished by opposition parties because constituents come to opposition MPs with stories of hardship and difficulty within the health system.
Actually it is the media the health consumers go to.
Helen Clark, to her credit, in Opposition did not jump on every shroud waver, and in particular refused to climb aboard the media frenzy that was the Rau Williams bandwagon, accepting he had end stage kidney failure and no amount of intervention would extend his life by even a minute.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
And so the right wing blog assassination of Shearer begins…
Key’s had a 3 year honeymoon, Shearer doesn’t even get 3 hours.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Robertson will lead the Parliamentary Labour wing. His knowledge of the systems instigated by Helen Clark and Heather Simpson when Grant was number three will allow him to play and plan as he and his broad church rainbow supporters want.
Vote:He always has had Helen’s blessing and will take note of her and Heather’s comments.
Cunliffe can wait all he likes, but would be better off seeking other employment in due course – not too long as he will be humiliated again.
When it all turns to custard the wing will continue to turn on him also.
18 months will reveal all.
December 13th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
I cannot get past DPF’s fixation with Robertson. Other than being a Wellington insider, what has Grant done?
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:06 pm
@YesWeDid says: “And so the right wing blog assassination of Shearer begins…”
I wouldn’t exactly call the NZ Herald ‘right wing’ – its the most left leaning hack publication in the country. So read on:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10772962
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
For goodness’ sake YWD, how long has Key had the “rich prick”/smile and wave monikers among the left?
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
If Shearer can step up to the plate and establish himself he could be the next Prime Minister
of New Zealand.
But, sadly, i think we all know, deep down, that he just hasn’t got it.
He has reached his level of incompetence and the only question now remaining
is, how long can he last ?
A nice bloke. An ex school teacher, his finest moment was when he dodged the bullets whilst chucking the mango skins
out of his Humvee window for the poor starving people to scrap over. That was it.
He wont last long at all. and. Labour is doomed with him as leader.
Vote:They will soon realise that.
Grant knows that and he knows that now he is poised to be the first out there shirtlifter with a chance to be PM
Grant can almost taste it baby.
December 13th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
so long as guys like shearer are prepared to bend over and take one for the team, they can kiss their collective political arse’s goodbye.
com’on, why robertson as deputy – well why do you think?
what chance damien getting a spot on the front bench – new idea’s, fresh thinking – or just another gaggle to contend with.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
“Key’s had a 3 year honeymoon, Shearer doesn’t even get 3 hours.”
very true. the standard has been nothing but complementary hahaha
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
It was a triumph for the Rainbow faction and a defeat for the Union Movement (despite the immediate token appointment of Fenton).
Vote:Where-ever a Rainbow achieves a position of power he tends to surround himself with others of similar ilk. In the short term Shearer may be okay as Goff/King/Mallard exert their influential guidance, but as their power wanes the Rainbow wing will emerge as a real power base behind Robertson. The Unions will move closer to Greens who are closer ideologically anyway, and because of MMP a Leftwing coalition with the Greens as the major party and Norman as prospective Prime Minister may emerge.
December 13th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
You and Bryce are certainly trying hard to get this line to stick.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
There is just no way NZ is ready for an out and out gay male prime minister within the next 12 years i reckon, unless he was brown also.
Which is something i don’t think Robertson could ever be…PM or brown.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Lets just say he has enough to last the next 3 years, does he have enough “likeability” to cobble together a government?
I’d say he does. Nationals friends are fading and Dunne won’t be back.
damnit!@!
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
backster 3:34 I wonder which union will defect to the Greens first? I assume they have regular union contacts. They’d be stupid not to.
cheers
David Prosser [not Richard Prosser]
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Oh let the games begin. Key’s honeymoon will look like a nightmare compared with next three years as Labour continue to search for leadership and unity.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
YesWeDid (578) Says:
December 13th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
And so the right wing blog assassination of Shearer begins…
Key’s had a 3 year honeymoon, Shearer doesn’t even get 3 hours.
Seems perfectly fair to me.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
One more try.
Can anyone explain , if Shearer is going to rejuvenate the Labour Party, why his first move as
leader is to elevate Dareien Fenton ?
What is that all about ?
Can we glean anything from that ?
Some Labour insider must know whats going on with that.
Or is it just that the gaggle of gays and unionists still rule and will do so untill they
Vote:prevail or destroy Labour. (for its own good)
December 13th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
It brings a whole new meaning to “watching your backside”!
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Since Shearer has been on TV lately he appears a complete novice. He will not last and as for Robertson, I have many Female relations and friends that do not like Robertson. I won’t give any quotes, but the Women vote for him would be small. Then there is the Male vote, not sure how he will go there?
Vote:Cunliffe is their only hope, but he has to be more diplomatic or people will can him as well.
December 13th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
The appointment of the toxic, septic ex junkie Fenton as whip is bloody confusing. I can only assume that the choice was not Shearer’s to make.
If Shearer is really wanting to change the party then Fenton is the first loser who should be punted to the very back of the list.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Bereal; ( & Bruv)
If it’s any help, I think the ‘Unionists and Gaggle of Gays’ are two things, not one thing.
As long as the Gaggle are in the ascendency, we should see a focus on enlightened social policy.
Whenever the Unionists are in the ascendency, we’ll see strikes and gang-like behaviour from the Unions.
This leftie prefers the Gaggle of Gays, thanks…
I’m hoping Fenton’s role is a token gift to the Unionists, and therefore a sign that the Gaggle are back in charge again after a recent spell in which the Unionists have been making a lot of the plays recently. But time will tell.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Jeez RRM.
Agreed that the gays and the unionists are two things but….that is Labour today, right ?
How do you figure that the gays are the enlightened ones on social policy ?
What gives the shirtlifters the high ground on social matters ? In your mind ?
Also. What about accepting that a person such as Darien Fenton has no place in a New Zealand of the future
Vote:we can all be proud of, token or otherwise.
December 13th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
YesWeDid (578) Says:
December 13th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
And so the right wing blog assassination of Shearer begins………………..
No where near as fast as the labour assasination, Shearer is a dead man walking already,.
Bets please- I will wager many cans of diet Coke that David Shearer will not be leading the labour party into the general election come 2014.
he will be white anted from this afternoon. Labour will do all the damage, we’ll just comment from the side. Lovin’ it
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
The fact that in recent times, Labour’s Gaggle are the ones that have brought in most of the positive improvements in personal freedoms and equality of rights and opportunity in our country. (Civil unions, prostitution law reform, Property Relationships Act, etc.) The right have just banged on about “Less Government!” while doing precious little to make that a reality…
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
GOD the ugly maori wahine and the tooser david c who lost are bitchy, maybe the wahine could send the mob around for UTU.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
RRM
Thats what I mean when i say labour never achive anything. They have tinkered with a few things so a few citizens on the margins can feel abit better about themselves.
Not one of the things you mention at 6.13 have made New Zealand one cent wealthier or created one single job
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 6:32 pm
Key’s had a 3 year honeymoon, Shearer doesn’t even get 3 hours.
Hey moron, how much of a honeymoon did the left wing septic blogs give Key? Oh thats right, they STILL think he’s an empty suit! Even after getting your arse’s handed to you in two elections..
Do you expect us to flop and fawn over Shearer? Go F%&$ yourself. Ive got nothing against Shearer except for the party he represents. When and if he fixes the fatal flaws in Labour, then I will seriously look at him as a potential PM but until he lances the infected pus that permeates in the Labour party then there aint no way in hell I will vote for him.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Where is there anyone arguing that Darien Fenton being elevated is a good thing ?
Even the leftards realise that that is one sick/depraved /perverse outcome.
Who will go to bat for Darien ?
She must have something going for her. WTF could it be ?
Speak up monkeys , speak.
Surely there is someone who will speak in favour of Darien.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Anyone
Vote:Terry Clark is gone.
He might have spoke.
Anyone else ?
Go for it .
December 13th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
“She must have something going for her. WTF could it be”
She may make a good sized couple of pork leg roasts, a fair set of foreloin roasts, a good set of meaty (non trimpork) chops,
lots of stir fry and at least 25kg of good fatty sausages Beryl.
All we need to do is find a butcher who is keen to do the deed!
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
If no one will speak for Darien.
Vote:i will,
she is a lovely, loveable, pleasant person, typical of the type we need in government.
Sort of like Carmel Sepuloni.
Just nice people. The sort we need more of.
Who can complete the trio, Darien, Carmel and ….?
Carol Beaumont has gone
Steve Chadwick has gone…………..
Who ?…………..
over to you ………..
December 13th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Bereal
You’re rushing us here but for her supercilious smile alone Maryann Street would take some licking.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Course,
Jacinda.
Who else ?
Wake up.
Nice one Paul, i forgot about Maryan
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Well well, let’s see how he fares in the chamber head-to-head against John Key.
Watch this widespread support turn on him when things don’t go to plan, whilst trying to maintain
some harmony in a potentially divided caucus.
He’ll be knocked off his perch before late 2014 rolls around.
And for the record, I have met David. He came across as a genuinely nice bloke with the best of intentions;
Vote:I just don’t think he’ll make it to the next election.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Judging by his comments since becoming leader, he’s a stayer and will last until the 2014.
Vote:He is focused, and he’s wresting the ‘poverty gap’ issue from Key. Whether he succeeds on that or not could be a defining issue. There would be nothing better for a new leader to strike a chord with the electorate on his election, own it, and take it forward in the public mind to the next election. We appear to be seeing a very exciting leader.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Now there you go
Vote:Maryan. Carmel, Carol. Steve, Darien, Jacinda, Ruth, and that other sheila from Christchurch, you know, that liar,
going for the mayoralty, whats her name ?
December 13th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
Nostalgia
Whats a poverty gap?
My neighbour just left he’s a millionaire, there s a big gap in our financial situations , does that qualify?
Or is it as I suspect (know) just another wank like AGW, a phrase thats thrown out and everyone takes it as read that the speaker knows what they are talking about.
There is no poverty in New Zealand. There are a huge number of households that do not have the life skills to deserve oxygen but that is not poverty. There is tobacco alcohol and drugs in large numbers of these mismanaged households, that is not poverty.
We will never all have the same of everything – fact.
Vote:Lefties will try and tell people that they can make this happen – fact.
Lefties are manipulative to the nth degree of those who financially are not as well off as others – fact.
Ergo lefties are at their best naive at their worst scum.- fact
December 13th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
I’ve now had a chance to watch Shearer’s post selection speech plus his interviews on Campbell and Close Up.
He could be an inspired choice by the Labour caucus. If, and that could be a big if, the Labour party unites and supports him properly he could achieve his ambition and make a real difference. He certainly looks like he will change Labour, although his naming of his shadow cabinet will be his first big test of authenticity.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
And here’s you lost your deposit Pete.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Been a bad day for the union movement, lost their man standing for Office and nearly lost a Union Boss.
Vote:http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-union-chief-detained-in-fiji-4635721
December 13th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
She’s quite hot is Helen, for a leftie.
I’d give her one if she fancied it.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:02 pm
……………………….a big if, the Labour party unites and supports him properly he could achieve his ambition and make a real difference. He certainly looks like he will change ………………………
Labour party unites. The best oxymoron on KB 2011. Two of them actually, the other being…… inspired choice by the Labour caucus………..
Et tu Brute or Brutess , David will say in 18 months time. There isn’t a shred of decency in the labour caucus, the plotting will be well underway
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Pauleastbay 7.49
Pleased to read your positive comments.
Vote:At the moment ‘poverty gap’ I suspect is recognised as the reason some nzers are being left behind. A situation that contributes to a feeling of unease across the borders of our society, polarised probably, by events of violence against children and a feeling of division. Abstract as that may appear to you, it is something alive within the minds of the electorate – David Shearer has confirmed this as a task he believes he must work with others to remedy.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Jeez Pete,
Will you EVER have a point of view ?
will you Ever take a stand on anything Ever ?
“he could be ……………If…………………….if……..”
What do you think ?
FFS What ? What do YOU think ?
‘That could be a big thing IF……’
Why do you bother ?
Have some guts for once.
What do you think ?
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Listening to Shearer being interviewed today and hearing some of the things he wants to do and the direction he wants to take Labour in I’m beginning to think ACT has managed to do to Labour what many think the Nats did to them with Banks….
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Nostalgia
Its not alive within the minds of the electorate at all. Labour are a minor political party full of factionalized ego’s who are still trying desperately to cling to “glory days”.
Unfortunately there has always been violence against children, its just this is now politicised and a “vote catcher”.
The left want a feeling of division, so there can be a “us V them “thing going on, but they are continuing to mis-judge the new Zealand public. The New Zealand public like whats been happening since 2008 and they want it to continue, look around labour had a new arsehole punched for them on the 26th of November. So a suggestion would be to you, get your head out of your arse and pay attention, the election of a very junior inexperienced MP to lead a minor political party means 5/8ths of fuck all.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
bereal, thinking means actually taking time to think, not jumping to conclusions before you know anything.
I’ll have a better idea what I think of Shearer:
- after he names his shadow cabinet, new and refreshed or same old
- after he has been leader for a few months
- when I see what sort of policy changes the party makes (boneheaded policies are my main concern)
I said he could be an inspired choice, if he gets sufficient support. Early signs very encouraging.
Re guts – show what you’re made of, go and comment on The Standard under your real name.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Pauleasybay
at 8.14pm
It must be comforting for you to post such generous comments.
Vote:The fact remains however, that Shearer has made a positive start – your reaction shows the truth of that.
December 13th, 2011 at 8:31 pm
Pete
Just how is he going to “refresh? , there is no one new
The sun comes up, the sun goes down, labour have bone headed policies, its expected.
The one thing I do know is Shearer was not headhunted like the PM, he will have seriously pissed off several factions today. You don’t have to think about that surely.
If he was the messiah there would have been no ballot. He was lucky today, he will appoint his supporters and then the only sound he will hear from the others is that of blades running across steels.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Yep Nostalgia
He got to a press conference on time, he’s bloody good alright.
I really don’t care, theres nothing on TV and too early for a bath , I’m really waiting for this new tool Prosser to keep blabbing, I see years of entertainment coming up with him.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
And it’s all free Pauleastbay – no poverty gap in sight!
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:44 pm
He wasn’t lucky today, it looks like he had it as good as won from early on in the process.
The meetings around the country have been a very good way of gathering and holding interest in a very disillusioned party at a low ebb.
You only have to look at The Standard to see how pissed off some factions are, but those threatening to hissy fit out of the party are probably better off gone anyway, piss poor party loyalty if they don’t get their own way.
Shearer has a big hill to climb, especially with a few stragglers hanging around his neck trying to strangle it, but he’s dealt with far worse pricks than a few party failures.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
David Shearer needs to find a cut through issue – Brash hit the public mood with his Orewa speech, Key got it right with the pay gap with Australia. Goff had a few good hits but never connected, that is where Shearer will be judged.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Pete
My question was how is he going to refresh? No one new, same old same old. Policies are going to have to so far left as to look like something published in the Daily Worker to get any attention becasue the middle ground is full.
You’d think Peter Fraser had been reincarnated.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
Heavens, this is going to be fun to watch.
Option 1: Shearer doesn’t perform either in the House or in the media. The next change will not be a gentle affair like this one – it will be a night of long knives.
Option 2: He does perform and stands a good chance of becoming PM.
My feeling it will be the option 1. But on RNZ tonight Shearer sounded like he had got it. He never talked about the beaten and down trodden but simply wants to work for a fairer NZ. That language will connect him to middle NZ where Labour has to win votes.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
Shearer could make a groundbreaking speech, stating that lazy benefit bludgers and gay, brown, sickness beneficiaries, could no longer expect the Mum and Dad battlers of the working class to support their degenerate lifestyle.
He’d be a shoo in in 2014!
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Key managed to refresh with much the same lineup, but with some astute tweaks and a couple of big promotions.
Who Shearer lines up on his front bench will show whether he has the gumption to shake the Labour list up. I think he did the right thing ruling out trading favourable caucus jobs for votes.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Johnboy – you may actually be on to something there, maybe more than you realise. There’s a heap of middle New Zealanders fed up with the ‘deserve a handout’ mentality.
If Shearer can find a way of addressing benefit bloat realistically then he could make major gains in support.
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 10:19 pm
I think teh Labour party made the right choice with Shearer. And if he has the balls he will fumigate the party of the old guard and stamp his mark on it. The issue is, is he a political survivor, or is he going to be damned by the same faint praise that Goff received from his ‘colleagues’?
Vote:December 13th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Poliwatch @ 8.56
You forgot Option 3
Shearer presides over a radical reform of the Labour Party but National and partners win the 2014 election. Instead, he takes Labour from 27% party vote to 35% party vote.
Do you seriously expect anyone to challenge such a result?
I think it will take Labour until at least 2017 to have a real chance of electoral success, if the Greens haven’t beaten them to it by then, of course.
Vote:December 14th, 2011 at 7:28 am
LeeC, Shearer will be no better than Phil Goff. He is inexperienced, and he is going to have to totally sweep the Labour Party out.
I don’t believe he is strong enough for that, when you know less than half the party. He also comes across as boring, and dithery. At the moment all he is saying is cheap talk, so you can’t evaluate that. Personally I don’t think he will last, and I bet I am right.
Cunliffe is a much stronger person, and would of been a better choice at the moment, he know’s the ropes.
He doesn’t even come to close to John Key, and to beat John, he will have to liven up his persona, and show some gutz. Which I don’t believe he has.Wait till he gets in to Question time in Parliament, they will crush him. I wish the media would stop saying he is like John Key, quite frankly he is nothing like John. John Key is slick and very decisive, and is an excellent Leader, despite what the Left like to say about him. John Key is the whole package, charisma, personality, and well organised brain.A rare thing to have in Politics.
Vote:December 14th, 2011 at 8:29 am
Shearers main threat will be from within the party. Key has he demonstrated in this last election is not a particularly formidable debater and is prone to mistakes. It is difficult to imagine that Key will cause any particular issues apart from his general nice guy popularity.
Shearer’s first and most significant test will be the appointment of his front bench. If Labour are to be effecetive as opposition they have to be the lead opposition party and not let the Greens and NZ First dominate proceedings. Ti will take some time but it is hard for him to go backwards from here. The party took a bath and if Shearer can get back to the mid 30% range then National has some concerns given their very slim majority
Vote: