Candidate selected
The eventual resolution of the Louisa Wall problem in the Labour Party contrasts with some of the drama over her future in the party — which included an apparent “meltdown” in the Ma¯ ori caucus.
Before facing what could have been a humiliating defeat yesterday in the bid to be Labour’s candidate in Manurewa for a fourth term, the MP’s supporters negotiated a deal that saved face for everyone.
Ma¯ ori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta, former MP Tim Barnett and parliamentary undersecretary Michael Wood were on Team Wall and negotiatedher withdrawal with Labour president Claire Szabo. But inherent in the deal is an understanding that Wall will be given a winnable position on Labour’s list and she may be helped to find a good appointment in the coming term to help her exit from Parliament.
From the party’s perspective, negotiating a withdrawal avoided exacerbating what was already a mess.
Wall had already considered legal action against the party’s ruling New Zealand Council for allowing one of her challengers, Arena Williams, to submit a late nomination.
A week ago she engaged National’s former Attorney-General Chris Finlayson to send a letter seeking a postponement of the selection.
Then Dame Marilyn Waring, a former lecturer of Wall’s, weighed in with a Herald article setting out why she should not be de-selected.
It was clear Wall was not going to go quietly or gently. It was also clear few onlookers would understand why such a high-profile MP, a fierce advocate for the rainbow sector, the sponsor of the gay marriage law, a former sport star, had been challenged.
At a time when Labour can point to divisions within National over the recent leadership coup, it did not
Arena Williams has been chosen as Labour’s new Manurewa candidate. Louisa Wall announced on Friday she would be withdrawing from the contested selection to seek a place on the list. Williams is an Aucklandbased lawyer, and on the Waitemata¯ District Health Board and a member of Unitec Institute of Technology’s Ru¯ nanga. She is a mother of two and affiliates to Te Aitangaa-Mahaki, Tu¯ hoe, and Nga¯ i Tahu.
need its own divisions aired publicly.
Some may be puzzled as to why Jacinda Ardern and Grant Robertson have not quietly intervened earlier and it is easy to surmise they could have but were not motivated to.
Wall may be a high-profile MP and icon for some, but some colleagues suggest she can be abrasive.
She received the backing of the Ma¯ ori caucus to promote her cause within the party but not before abusing deputy leader Kelvin Davis at a meeting. News of the so-called “meltdown” was contained in a message from Szabo mistakenly sent to the entire Labour caucus in March.
Mahuta has been the primary intermediary between Wall and Szabo, who issued her own statement on Friday describing Wall as a “hugely gifted MP” who had delivered significant change for New Zealand.
Wall is now facing a significant change herself in what can be seen as a managed de-selection.