Vernon Small on the Labour circus

Vernon Small writes at Stuff:

By rights the political debate should be focused on the Government's handling of two things.

How does it meet its self- imposed need to do something alongside traditional allies and friends in and Syria without getting too deeply embroiled in the war against ?

And how will John Key make a dent in the number of children in poverty, given the Government's pre-eminent focus on work as the best route out of poverty? …

But then along came Andrew Little, , David and the whole Labour three-ringed circus to demand its place in the limelight.

Don't forget David Parker who wasn't standing and then did stand.

Just what Shearer, a former leader, hoped to achieve with his frustration-download is hard to tell.

He seemed to have an irony bypass attacking David Cunliffe, his supporters, the union voting strength and even Labour's brand – all in the name of a call for party unity.

He probably has every right to feel aggrieved at Cunliffe's behaviour at the 2012 annual conference, though Cunliffe continues to deny any involvement in a coup or intent to undermine him.

But to argue Cunliffe should have stayed in the race for leader in order to be defeated, as part of a scenario that would take him out of contention in perpetuity?

It all smacked of a stake through the heart – of taking revenge a kilometre too far.

He was right that Cunliffe's backers in the blogosphere were off the wall, painting anyone but Cunliffe as a dangerous conservative running dog in harness with the mainstream media.

Danyl McL also has an opinion on how the Labour-aligned blogs are doing more harm than good to the .

Also, Labour's Maori caucus is asserting itself as a significant proportion of Labour's reduced 32-person caucus.

Party sources say it is seeking greater autonomy within the caucus, and is even arguing for a share of research and other resources.

Oh that would be fun. A semi-autonomous caucus within a caucus. So if they formed Government, would they also be a semi-autonomous government within the Government?

 

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