Cunliffe promises 'govt in waiting'

New Labour leader David Cunliffe confirms David Parker as his deputy and finance spokesman

17th Sep 13, 12:52pm by Gareth Vaughan

New Labour Party leader David Cunliffe has confirmed David Parker, rather than incumbent and leadership rival Grant Robertson, will be his deputy and says he and Parker will make Labour "an unstoppable Opposition and a government in waiting."

Cunliffe said Parker would also continue as Labour's finance spokesperson, with Shane Jones and Robertson, who Cunliffe defeated in the contest to replace David Shearer as leader, taking roles in economic development and employment.

“David Parker will make an outstanding deputy," Cunliffe said. "He is a man of intellect and integrity, with the Labour values of opportunity and fairness at his core. I could not be happier with his elevation."

“We will work tirelessly together to earn the right for Labour to lead the next government," added Cunliffe.

He also said Parker's grasp of the economy was "second to none in Parliament."

And Cunliffe said he and Robertson had "mutually agreed" that Robertson should also take over as Labour's Leader of the House from Trevor Mallard.

"Grant is a star performer in the house, and will do a great job coordinating Labour’s battle to hold the National government to account in Parliament. I want to personally acknowledge the contribution he has made as Deputy Leader and the importance of his on-going role in helping guide our team," Cunliffe said.

Labour's caucus has also elected new whips, with Sue Moroney to be Senior Whip and Iain Lees-Galloway Junior Whip replacing Chris Hipkins and Darien Fenton.

“The announcement of full caucus reshuffle will come in the next week, after I’ve held one-on-one discussions with each Labour MP. But it was important to get our senior leadership roles confirmed as soon as possible so that we can continue to take the fight to National," said Cunliffe.

“John Key and National are on notice - Labour is renewed, united and ready to go."

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.

34 Comments

by Boatman | 17th Sep 13, 1:58pm 1379383124

Here's an opening bid to get the left going .

What could a nakedly ambitous leftwinger do for this country , other than TAX AND SPEND us into penury and impoverishment ?

The real problem with labour is that they dont have a single new constructive idea between the lot of them.

And we are sick of prior Labour Administrations taxing us to death and wasting the money on frivolous nonsense, packing the public service with their lefty cronies , telling us how much water we can use to shower , and giving handouts to the supposedly poor who drink , smoke and gamble it away.

Now go for it !

by steven | 17th Sep 13, 2:09pm 1379383795

aka John Key you mean?

Really, here take out "left" and put in "right". I mean what new ideas has Key had in almost 5 years? flog off profitable SOE's to fund PPPs that have been a disaster everywhere else in the world?

"we" Im not one of your "we"

I right wing loony rant, na dont need it....

Come back with some facts...

regards

by Gummy Bear Hero | 17th Sep 13, 2:33pm 1379385229

Here's one : It's a fact that the reason most people take an instant dislike to David Cunliffe is because it saves time !

by steven | 17th Sep 13, 4:00pm 1379390458

"most" yeah right....lets see how Labour do over the next two polls....if you are right the Labour will tank....

regards

by Gummy Bear Hero | 17th Sep 13, 5:58pm 1379397480

David Parker as his deputy ! .... oh geeeez , that's hardly forward looking , is it ... what'd Robbo do to get dumped from his role ....

... and Jacinda's probably fuming too , bring back the " man-ban " ....

Haaaaa ! ... c'mon Cunny , lift yer game ... same old faces from the Clark/Cullen era we do not wish to see ... encourage the young turks , fella ....

by Christov | 17th Sep 13, 9:04pm 1379408643

Now come on GBH....he didn't cave in ...stated his preference, stuck with it and still people find things to bitch about.

I said this week would be a measure of him , so far..Robo outish, that took some nads.

You and any resonable person would have thought Robertson for sure, and rightly predicted he would be knobbled from the get go....Parker is "A" typical post grad scholar, timid when cross examined just in case there is any mistake on delivery...Billy Bob doesn't give a flying frig if there is, he knows bullshit baffels brains. The bonus...? Parker is not a good liar, he's just a numbers man, I think he got the right man in that respect.

Remember I said two weeks back....Mallard out for a duck...!...Jacinda will get her turn, as to the rest of the young turks , they'll need grooming to roll the Judas caucas, and that will take time .

by Christov | 17th Sep 13, 3:25pm 1379388339

Geesus...! Boatman if you political nous is as good as that stock market advice I see you doling out last night there....it's a bloody wonder you bother to get up in the morning.

The real problem with labour is that they dont have a single new constructive idea between the lot of them.

Is it..? is that the ...real...problem ?, what a thoughtful disection of policy not yet delivered.....

I swear you must be some kind of genius, you must endure a lot of headaches with ideas like that bouncing off your inner skull walls before settling where you think the good ideas come from.

by Boatman | 17th Sep 13, 6:15pm 1379398523

@Christov , I dont give stock market advice , I have been getting advice for the past 10 years from my mates at Craigs in Takapuna , and the advice has been pretty good so far.

As to my political views, they are based on my experience of previuos left leaning or coalition governments.

I have lived and worked in 3 countries over 30 years that have swung between left and centre Governments

All I have ever got from left wing or Labour governments was more and more tax bills , as well as some new taxes , constantly increasing exisitng taxes , and a whole lot of stealth taxes .

Stupid things like carbon taxes which were never used to reduce carbon production , but went into the fiscus for genral expenses

Thats why I think John Key has done okay as PM , and if I am here , I will vote for him next time .

by two otherguys | 17th Sep 13, 6:22pm 1379398971

Boatman: have you ever considered the timing of your re-location moves to different countries might be the problem

by two otherguys | 17th Sep 13, 6:25pm 1379399152

That's your hip-pocket nerve talking. You are supposed to be a thinking-man, where what-ever is good for the country is good for you .. whereas you are saying what is good for you should be good for everyone else

by busman | 17th Sep 13, 2:40pm 1379385653

better health, education, dismantling of unions , increased minimum wage , we have a growing economy , cut personal tax for ( actual workers) , part privatisation of SOE , steered the country through the canterbury earthquake , free trade agreements , getting back onside with the USA , seen off 3 muppet leaders of differing partys , investing in the export sector of NZ , opening up mining , running the economy well , the envy of many.

by rastus1 | 17th Sep 13, 3:08pm 1379387303

...are these supposed to be the good or bad things Key has been up to?

by busman | 17th Sep 13, 2:43pm 1379385813

Oh and dont forget the international convention center that wil cost working taxpayers nothing !

by Christov | 17th Sep 13, 3:36pm 1379388997

Oooh don't you worry busman...they'll find a way to socialise some over-run costs, not to mention the social cost...but hey it's totaly important to have monolithic Trade and Diplomatic centers where you can bullshit each other all day long, thinking that your the one getting the deal.

How bout those Air N.Z. layoffs....getting the old machine lean and mean before pricing it up for the mug punter..? how bout that...? gonna be 1200 unhappy campers before it's done n dusted....

People don't lose jobs under National....they just get the opportunity to look for a new one.

by ngakonui gold | 17th Sep 13, 3:36pm 1379388979

We voted most of this labour party out 2 elections ago.

Now the same old faces want to be voted back in singing the same old story.

Nothing has changed apart from Little and Adern waiting in the wings.

by Christov | 17th Sep 13, 3:39pm 1379389173

Well we might just get the chance to vote em out again ngakonui G.!...but first there's the little matter of voting Key out....I mean come on he hasn't had a turn yet..!

by The best statu… | 17th Sep 13, 3:40pm 1379389232

Stop beating yourself up Busman. Most of the deciples hare cannot wait for the Labour/Green government we will vote in to deliver the utopia we all desire where there will be enough money for all and we will have a nice clean place when we put our grass skirts on and swing pom poms in front of adoring visitors.

by Plutocracy | 17th Sep 13, 4:04pm 1379390650

What's the right-wing utopia? More of the same 'piddle-down' economics, complete elimination of the middle class, lower wages and rising inequality? Corporate welfare?

Brighter future indeed!

by steven | 17th Sep 13, 4:12pm 1379391146

yeah sign me up.....

not......

BTW, you missed,

Increasing pollution

Knee cappingthe RMA

Exhaustion of one time resources

Politically blinkered short termism....

Brininging policies that have failed Internationally

Dumping our rep for clean and green (who needs it right?)

Helping guarantee the ruining of our future agricultural economy by ignoring AGW.

Selling out our rights under "free trade agreements" that really are a licence for american corporations to pillage at will.

Stop us stopping GE crops

yeah great job they are doing.......

by waymad | 17th Sep 13, 5:06pm 1379394418

Well, Interested Parties, I think we have the power crisis solved.

Hook a thermocouple up to this 'ere thread.

There's certainly more Heat than Light.

Infra-Red, natch.

by SK | 17th Sep 13, 9:46pm 1379411169

Cunliffe looks powerful, he is going to be a formidable opponent.

by Don m | 18th Sep 13, 9:01am 1379451698

he didnt look too formidable yesterday in q time.He stumbled through his questions(almost as bad as Shearer).on a subject he didnt understand,and leftJK openings to smash him.

He needs to lift his game big time..

by steven | 18th Sep 13, 10:47am 1379458052

Well, relative I suppose, I mean the last 2 Labour Leaders were huge non-events.

Then again he doesnt need to be fantastic just good enough and maybe better than JK.....anyone who thinks JK is "impressive" is day dreaming IMHO.

regards

by SK | 18th Sep 13, 9:20am 1379452803

He stood there and kept going - he strikes quite an imposing figure compared to Shearer.

That was the first time on the front front bench.

Someone who judged his leadership on that would be stupid.

Key was very good in response as usual - well practiced.

Banter in the house is not going to be what wins the election in any case.

by Don m | 18th Sep 13, 9:27am 1379453277

dont make excuses for him..he was supposed to be the messiah..he,s a seasoned parlimentarian..he set the topic for debate... and in terms of his career "lost a wicket in the first over..."

9 wickets left for key and he will be on his4th leader.(unless Cunliff retires hurt like Shearer did)

by steven | 18th Sep 13, 10:43am 1379457809

Such comments from a hard rght winger....LOL.....

regards

by Stephen L | 18th Sep 13, 10:51am 1379458267

Things somewhat depend on how large and growing is the "Anyone but Key" party. I suspect such a party would now poll very well.

In any case I would welcome a couple of maths professors, if that is how someone above describes Cunliffe and Parker. Their maths makes sense to me.

by Boatman | 18th Sep 13, 11:14am 1379459661

We really need now is a good dose of Thatcherite Economics. It will wean us from the nanny state , reduce our taxes , get us competitive again , sort out the current account deficit , get us on compulsory superannuation, and enable us to catch up with Australia

by Fidel Steekes | 18th Sep 13, 11:30am 1379460645

Amusing to see people recalling the Thatcher years as somehow utopic ,such are the filters of memory. For many many average people it was to be the most uncertain period of their lives regarding job security and stability.

If not for the Faucklands fiasco the Nationalist emotive tap,Thatcher would have experienced far more civil unrest and what comes with that.

Is it you think we need go to war with ,say Fiji in order to bring more unity ?

Some of the posters here are under the impression Key is a centrist politically speaking,he by any standard is a long way right of centre ,perhaps not extreme but noticeably more aggressive than previous National Govt's on matters of Corporate privatisation to nursing existing Corporate monopolies.

by puketepapa | 18th Sep 13, 11:38am 1379461092

Speak for yourself Boatman. US kiwi new zealanders here in new zealand have no idea what Thatcherite Economics are. Or were. What are you talking about?

by dh | 18th Sep 13, 12:09pm 1379462963

Thatcher. Let's See.

Might have increased the rate of decline of mining relative to the long term trend, but not a lot in it. Cut direct taxes, but the amount raised by indirect taxes doubled- Public spending went up in real terms, and down as a percentage of the total economy. Inequality went up dramatically (Incomes of the top 10% grew 60%, incomes of the poor didn't move or shrank).

I suppose, if Boatman is really keen, we could put the Tax rates UP to what it was under Thatcher, but it seems an unusual thing for him to be calling for.

by puketepapa | 18th Sep 13, 12:37pm 1379464668

Boatman displays all the characteristics of a "fair weather sailor"

by Stephen L | 18th Sep 13, 12:40pm 1379464830

dh,

Always good to see the data or evidence, thanks. As a total aside I did note your recent links to your own blog, and thought it was excellent. So well done on that.

by Gareth Vaughan | 18th Sep 13, 12:55pm 1379465701

Thatcher? Wasn't Roger Douglas our equivalent? And as for compulsory superannuation, I wouldn't have seen Thatcher as a supporter of that. Wasn't she all about freedom of choice for individuals?