“Had the Leadership been confident of the numbers they would not have gone for secrecy on the vote.

Had they lost by about 50/50 then Shearers position would have been untenable.
If they were confident they would have asked the room to give a unanimous endorsement and avoid a vote. But they were afraid. Diddums!!

They must have worked out that at least a third was willing to say FU to Trevor, Grant and Annette.

That is a serious shot across Shearers bow. He must realise he has to unite the caucus very quickly or he and everyone else will be absolutely exhausted by Easter.”

Oh I do think you meant to say “beside themselves with EXCREMENT” lol

If you are genuine in that desire Micky then vote for a National government. You and I both know that a Labour or Labour/Green government would be a disaster for NZ.

You joined the National Party?
Oh well done!!

The last sentence suggested that it was something Shearer should consider rather than a reason for change.

And I regret that I am not the chair of Auckland Labour and have not been for a while. I am but a rank and file member of a party that wants to make New Zealand into a better place.

pq (545) Says:
February 4th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Farrar as above actually can do sums and he already knows well the outcome prepared for, I think Winston as foreign Minister again or similar. No one knows yet

That just sent shiver down my spine.
Winston is great in opposition and is as wily a politician as you would expect from Muldoon’s apprentice, but he simply does not play well with others. If he is given any ministry by the next government he will be an easy target for National to discredit the coalition.

Sir Cullen’s Sidekick (66) Says:
February 4th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Shearer need not do anything. He just needs to cruise around and ensure that Labour doesn’t go below 30%. So on election night, Labour will be 33%, Greens will be 10%, NZ First will be 6% and Mana 1 MP for sure. With this toxic combination, Shearer will be the Prime Minister in 2014 for sure. Come election time, I will be betting a huge sum for Shearer to be the PM. So easy…..It will be another 9 years before a National Government gets into power again….

Unless the Labour party sorts their shit out it’ll be in for one term and out for following three.

2014 could be likely NZ Nat = 42%, Labour = 35%, Green =09%
NZ First =07%

Farrar works for the NZ Nat party, but apppears not to be able to add sums,
no demerit points at this stage Farrar warning only

BeaB (1,453) Says:
February 4th, 2013 at 11:34 am
Just imagine two years of lame duck Shearer! The Greens must be beside themselves with excitement.

This makes no sense whatsoever. If Labour is weak, the Greens lose.

The Greens only chance to get a seat at the table is dependent on Labour getting 35% of the vote at the next election.

The past year has shown the Greens willingness to produce policies which compliment Labour’s, and they seem to be the only ones asking questions of National. This indicates a growing pragmatism on the part of the Greens.

Labour only need 35% for John Key to concede on election night, IMO.

Labour/Greens/New Zealand First is unlikely to be realistically considered.

Labour’s MPs have endorsed the leadership of David Shearer in a confidence vote today, but will not release the results of the vote.

I can’t imagine that the result will not be leaked one way or the other.
The must have been a significant number of no votes in order for Labour to want it to keep it secret.

Silly, not to confront the results head on, hoping no one will find out.

Earnest Anthony:

OK, so that’s done. I know the outcome won’t please everyone here, but I ask those who aren’t DS fans to consider now what’s best for the Left (not just Labour, but the Left) over the months ahead.

First response, from One Tane Huna:

What’s best for the Left?

The Green Party.

Time will tell whether a dead man walking Labour leader is what’s best for the left. Many people don’t mind a bit of a Green voice but they will baulk at a big Green say in Government.