Well the Labour Party has made their decision and David Shearer has got the nod. And I’m pleased – he seems to be a really decent fellow. Nevertheless Labour is taking a huge gamble by electing such an un-proven leader.
David shearer has only been an MP since 2009 having failed on two previous attempts to get into parliament. His work history is impressive indeed but since becoming an MP he has been largely invisible. My life is so boring that I watch a bit of parliament on TV and frankly Shearers performance in the house has been average at best. This in a house where the average performance of all members is appalling.
Becoming the leader of the Labour Party is a huge step up for David Shearer and I hope for his party’s sake, and because good politics needs strong opposition, he shapes up. I think he will.
Unfortunately the previous leadership team made such a mess of the party list at the recent election that Shearer is going to have to cope without some of the brighter, younger hopes for the future like Stuart Nash. I have no doubt that if Nash was back in parliament, Shearer would be looking to him to carry some real responsibility.
Stuart Nash has every right to feel bitter. Not towards the voters in his electorate, but towards the senior members of his own party who to put it simply, let him down. I would be surprised if Labour doesn’t find him something to do until a safe seat becomes available.
So where does David Shearer go from here? He’s only got 34 MP’s and some of them are well past their use-by dates (some of them of course have never been any use) so his options are limited. He will want to show that he is in charge and that Labour is a rejuvenated and potent opposition. That is a big ask.
Poor old Phil Goff will trot off to the back benches. I have always said that if I was looking for a good parliamentary team from across all parties, Phil Goff is one of the first I would select. However I would never make the mistake of having him as leader.
Annette King is struggling to hide her bitterness and I predict she will not complete this term. It would not be surprising to see King to step down mid term, perhaps to contest the Wellington Mayoralty, and who knows – that just might create a gap for Stuart Nash.
Have a great Christmas – I will resume my rambles in the new Year.
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