Helen Clark's grip on power has been subject to surprise questioning from within as one of her senior ministers speculates about a possible Labour Party defeat and speculates about a time when she may stand down.
Increasing the impact of the comments is that they come from Phil Goff, considered by many to be the most likely replacement for Clark.
On Tuesday, ONE News showed Goff his reported comments about the prospect of a Labour loss.
"There's always a prospect of any party losing at an election of course - that's what elections are about, you have a winner and a loser," he says.
That's true, but politics is about staying on message. Speculating about defeat is a no-no, even if you raise doubts about the alternative.
"We're behind in the polls, we start in the underdog position,
people think that there is time for a change. That happens after
several terms, but it's a question of time to change to what," says
Goff.
The Prime Minister is asked if she concedes there's a possibility
of defeat for Labour?
"What I'm looking at is running a very strong campaign, as I said to you yesterday, this year is full of challenges," Clark replies.
Goff has been talked about as Clark's successor on and off for
nearly a decade now, so he should be well aware he needs be careful
about fuelling that speculation. But that is what he did even while
denying he's after her job.
"There is no discussion about leadership. The question about
leadership will take place at the point in the future when Helen
Clark feels that she is going to move on to something else. That
point has not yet arisen."
The point is he has handed the opposition a gift.
"Does the Prime Minister have confidence in Phil Goff who not only thinks it's time for a change but is publicly telling people on Alt TV that your leadership, Prime Minister, is toast," says John Key, National leader.
But Clark says National has loyalty issues.
"As the member is the fifth leader of the National Party I've dealt
with, I'd say there's rather more loyalty issues over there," she
says.
Labour eventually worked its lines out, Clark saying she is satisfied the issue is a beat up.
"We're always aware that in an election year something like this can be beaten up by the media," says Goff.
