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Source: ONE News -
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Chris Carter has been suspended from the Labour Party caucus
after being caught trying to send what leader Phil Goff called a
"stupid and disloyal" anonymous letter to the media claiming there
was a leadership challenge.
Carter was discovered within hours and Goff said his future with
Labour was over.
"The content of his letter, while not true, was designed to damage the party I lead. It was stupid and disloyal.
"His actions breached caucus rules and were calculated to damage the party and the leadership. This is unacceptable to me and my caucus.
"Chris Carter has no future in the Labour Party I lead."
He is an electorate MP so, if he is expelled from the party, he
could continue as an independent MP.
Carter late today admitted the letter was an attack on Goff's
leadership "because I no longer believe it's possible for him to
win the election".
"Look, Phil Goff is a very nice guy, but he's just not going to win. And his latest flip-flop over the tradeable fourth week of annual holidays, which Labour brought in in our last term was the last straw for me.
"We owe it to the people who vote for us to have a leader who can win because I want to see John Key out."
Goff had already quashed talk of a leadership challenge and
quashed his errant MP in the process.
"Chris Carter is no long a member of the Labour caucus. As to his
membership of the Labour Party, that is the decision that will be
taken by the New Zealand Council of the Labour Party shortly," Goff
told a press conference shortly after 4pm.
The letter was sent to various media organisations today, including
TVNZ, claiming the challenge to Goff's leadership would possibly
come from David Cunliffe.
The letter said the issue had bought to a head "growing discontent" within the caucus about Goff's leadership and poor polling.
"David Cunliffe has a big smile on his face and many in the caucus now expect a move against Goff and King before the election."
Cunliffe denies plot
An angry Cunliffe denied any plot to overthrow Goff.
"It is complete rubbish and like my colleagues I am cross about
it," said Cunliffe.
Cunliffe ruled out a leadership attempt and said Goff had his "100%" backing.
The letter claimed union interests in Labour were upset that Goff was supporting the National Party policy of allowing workers to trade a fourth week's leave for cash.
No super sleuth
Deputy leader Annette King also rubbished the claims of a challenge and helped track down the letter's writer.
It didn't take long. Apparently Carter is no super sleuth when it comes to keeping things secret.
"I recognised the hand writing on the envelope," said
Goff.
"(Also) I don't think there is any security footage in the area
that the letters were delivered to, but it is also true that Mr
Carter was seen there this morning."
Fallen from grace
Carter, once a Labour Cabinet Minister, returned to parliament at the end of last month after Goff forced him to take stress leave following a messy scene with reporters.
That was after he had attempted to avoid reporters asking him why he had not apologised for his spending on a Ministerial credit card.
Carter lost his foreign affairs portfolio and was bumped down the Labour Party pecking order after the revelations.
What do you think of Chris Carter's actions in circulating the note claiming a leadership challenge was looming, and Phil Goff's response? Have your say on our messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentGPR said on 2010-08-01 @ 13:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
oops. I think her name was Sue Bradford - still she's gone and thats what is important
thinkaboutit said on 2010-07-31 @ 17:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Brilliant! "The Tribe Has Spoken" in the game of "Survival NZ"- the truth hurts - Carter has been ousted for being a real threat by a Labour Party full of "Yes Men" and gutless sheep! Carter was more spot on than he thought though- this is hardly a Party for the future - time for a real radical change! Carter needs to keep up his radical thinking if he is genuinely concerned about this country - like supporting a real threat to National like Winston Peters win his electorate!
thinkaboutit said on 2010-07-31 @ 10:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
After 50 odd years of observing (and being on the receiving end) of NZ dysfunctional politics and witnessing this country degenerate from "Gods Own" to a third world look alike Ive come to the conclusion that there is only one potential leader with the mana, experience and genuine and balanced concern for this country and its people and its way of life that has any chance of salvaging what we once all enjoyed - its time to make your move Winston!
santa0007 said on 2010-07-31 @ 08:56 NZDT: Report abusive post
T e Atatu....Peninsula,soory about title. Well placed now to make a stand for themselves,backing Carter says "we are here", he is the olny person to dedicate himself to his clients,he speaks the truth. Labour as a party has done nothing for us on the dole 7 nothing for us farmers & nothing for the poor.
scottynz said on 2010-07-30 @ 14:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
Chris Carter has one thing right. Goff has no chance in the next election. He has less charisma than Gordon Brown or Bill English. Might be a nice guy or competent, but he has less hope than an ice ball in hades.