David Cunliffe resigns

David Cunliffe resigns as NZ Labour leader

New Zealand Labour leader David Cunliffe fronts up after he resigned today. Photo / Doug Sherring

Via Facebook

I have today decided to resign the leadership of the Labour Party, effective from the end of caucus on Tuesday.

The party has suffered an historic election loss and in resigning as leader I take responsibility for that.

The party will review all the contributing factors. That process has begun and I give it my full support.

Labour’s values are New Zealand’s values. But the election result has reinforced that the Labour Party must change in order to uphold and communicate those values.

I was elected one year ago with a mandate to lead change.

In that time I have worked to pull the party and caucus together and put every resource available to the service of the campaign.

Clearly there is much more to do, and the party’s direction must be respected. There is no room for division or airing differences through the media despite agreement to the contrary.

The recent election confirms that Labour needs a more comprehensive overhaul.

We need to renew and rebuild our culture, accountabilities, how we do things and present to the world.

Achieving that in time for the 2017 election will require experienced and determined leadership with a broad mandate.

Whatever decisions are made must be in the best interests of New Zealand to have a strong and vital Labour Party.

The Party’s interests must come before any personal interests. I have thought carefully before responding to the calls to re-offer myself for the leadership of the party.

Consultation with colleagues, members and affiliates has affirmed that the whole party must participate in this choice, and not just one part of it.

Therefore I am announcing today that I will nominate for a primary contest, which will be held across the caucus, the party membership and the affiliates as the party constitution requires.

The process is a matter for the party Council, but the work we have begun towards creating a better country with opportunities for all New Zealanders must be fast tracked.

I would like to take this moment once again to thank my family and friends, my parliamentary colleagues, my office staff, my electorate committee, staff and volunteers, and the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who voted Labour and who believe that Labour is a vital part of New Zealand’s future.

It is a privilege to lead the Labour Party. It is a great and proud party. It has the best interests of all New Zealanders at heart.

It has the values needed to create a fairer and more progressive society. I intend with the endorsement of the Party, to lead Labour to victory in 2017 so we can implement them.

I am now going to resume a long-booked family holiday until Monday evening and won't be available for further media comment.

Thank-you. Kia kaha.

Commentary

David Cunliffe Resigns As Labour Leader – Forces Robertson Out of the Beltway

http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/09/27/david-cunliffe-resigns-as-labour-leader-forces-robertson-out-of-the-beltway/#sthash.g238yTnv.dpuf

David Cunliffe has made a smart move, resigning as the leader of the Labour Party so as to force a leadership primary campaign. The move draws rival Grant Robertson out of the beltway to parts of the country where he can be truly tested.

The alternatives would have seen Robertson become leader uncontested, a tactic that would cause further division between the Party’s caucus, its membership, and the affiliated unions…

In this primary, Robertson will need to convince the membership and unions that as leader he will not cause Pasifika & other volunteer groups to defect. This is an argument that Cunliffe could well win. But is it enough to cause Labour members to get back in behind him?

Watch out for another candidate at least to enter the primary.

Also watch out for who the leadership contenders attract as running mates. This element of the primary campaign will reveal much about the dealings among caucus factions and their respective interests.

Particularly watch out for the prospect of Stuart Nash playing a part.

The Daily Blog’s pick: The contender that attracts the support of Nash and his backers will likely win this leadership primary.