Labour Should be Well Served by Cunliffe as Leader

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday 15 September 2013

The Alliance Party has congratulated David Cunliffe on his election as Labour Party leader.

Alliance Party co-leader Kevin Campbell says his previous experience as an MP working alongside newly elected Labour Party leader David Cunliffe gives him confidence in the potential for a Labour-led Government by the end of next year.

Mr Campbell served as Deputy to David Cunliffe on the Commerce Select Committee.

“In working with David, as his Deputy over three years, he had always done his homework, considered others points of view, was inclusive of an Alliance position and always had a strategy for dealing with Opposition members.”

Campbell has no doubt of Cunliffe’s abilities. 

"Within the first month of David’s Chairing of the Commerce Committee, experienced Opposition members of the Committee, in particular Lockwood Smith and Tony Ryall tried to roll him as Chair even after the unusual process of David’s being elected Chair by the House, not just the Committee. Those seasoned National MPs failed miserably."

Mr Campbell says Mr Cunliffe has an ability to cut through the rubbish, concentrate on issues and hold Departmental Officials and Advisers to account.  

"I remember in particular his abilities in that regard in dealing with officials and advisers in relation to the Telecommunications and Electricity reforms. No one would put anything across David. He always saw the issue, cut to the chase and articulated it well."

Campbell says Labour MPs now need to stop the infighting and their personal agendas and concentrate on what’s best for getting a Labour-led Government. 

Labour should be well served by David Cunliffe as leader and the Alliance would look forward to working with Labour (once again) under his leadership, says Mr Campbell.

ENDS

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