Comments on: New Zealand election live

By: Adam in Canberra

Adam in Canberra — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:39:25 +0000

Actually I do think that. I didn’t agree with everything Clark did (she’s a bit to the left of my views), but on a personal level I think she’s one of the most admirable politicians of recent times.

How is the late counting progressing?

By: DLP

DLP — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:20:59 +0000

Adam,

Stop drinking the coolade. I know we are the party faithful but if you think for one minute Clark has higher virtues than any other politician then I think you need to leave Canberra because you are clearly missing oxygen to the brain from living in that place for too long.

By: Martin B

Martin B — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:21:38 +0000

It’s mainly an Australian thing that defeated leaders are expected to leave parliament

Even here it’s fairly recent: PMs Fraser, Hawke and Keating and non-PMs Latham. (Hewson left soon after but not immediately after.)
Menzies and Whitlam resigned as leader, Whitlam stayed in Parliament for 7 months after.
Gorton, McMahon and Hayden all stayed in Parliament for some time after they lost party leadership/election, as did non-PMs Snedden, Downer, Crean and Beazley (first time).
Holt is a special case, as is Howard

By: Paul Nash

Paul Nash — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:19:42 +0000

Its wonderful to see the National Party return to Government in New Zealand after a nine year absence. Lets hope the Nationals success in New Zealand rubs off on the National Partys throughout Australia in coming State and Federal elections.

By: Oz

Oz — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:48:54 +0000

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24635227-12377,00.html

Phil Goff elected leader of NZ Labour.

By: Adam in Canberra

Adam in Canberra — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:21:19 +0000

Labour couldn’t lose Mt Albert if they ran Jack the Ripper.
Costello is hanging around in the hope that the party and/or the voters will come to their senses and summon him to the leadership which his birthright. Clark is saying (if she is) because she wants to serve the working-class voters of Mt Albert – that’s the difference between them.

By: Mary Hannah Wade

Mary Hannah Wade — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:20:45 +0000

It’s mainly an Australian thing that defeated leaders are expected to leave parliament – Edward Heath was an MP for 26 years after losing the Tory leadership

By: juliem

juliem — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:39:49 +0000

Ok, thanks, Oz, sounds as if she is doing the Peter Costello thing

By: Oz

Oz — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:25:57 +0000

Does anyone know if Helen Clark will do a JH and lose her seat? Or assuming she doesn’t, will she stay in Parliament? (Presumably resigning the Labor leadership

It’s virtually impossible for her to lose her seat, even if she lost her electorate, due to the electoral system. Regardless, she won her seat. She’s already resigned as Labor leader but said she “has been elected to serve her constituents” so she’ll probably chill out in the parliament.

By: juliem

juliem — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:24:13 +0000

Does anyone know if Helen Clark will do a JH and lose her seat? Or assuming she doesn’t, will she stay in Parliament? (Presumably resigning the Labor leadership) Or the 3rd option, do a Iemma and Keating, resigning from Parliament all together and thus forcing a by election?