Being gay ‘factor’ in unsuccessful bid for top job
Senior Labour MP Grant Robertson says being gay was ‘‘a factor’’ but not the only thing to blame for his unsuccessful Labour leadership runs about a decade ago.
In 2013 and 2014 Robertson ran for the Labour leadership but lost – only just.
‘‘It was a factor. I know that. But I’m not sure it was everything,’’ he told TVNZ’s Q+A on Sunday morning when asked if his sexuality affected the outcomes. The senior MP said being gay was an issue in the campaign within the Labour Party in 2013. Despite support from his fellow caucus members, he lost when additional votes from wider party’s [Labour] membership and union affiliates were taken into account.
‘‘I do think it probably affected that. Although whether I would have been able to win, even without that [his sexuality]. I’m not sure. By the time we got to 2014, it was less of an issue the second time around.
“But it continued to be there.’’ In 2008, Robertson spoke about his sexuality in his first speech in the parliament.
“Being gay is part of who I am … my political view is defined by my sexuality only in as much as it has given me an insight into how people can be marginalised and discriminated against, and how much I abhor that.”
Robertson said after losing the leadership run twice, he decided not to run again. “When Jacinda [Ardern] took the leadership in 2017, I was able to be there and support my friend in doing that.
‘‘That was all enormously fulfilling.’’
Roberston, who will deliver his last speech in Parliament this week, said parts of his speech were “going to be interesting to deliver’’.
‘‘I think I’m gonna cry.
‘‘Yeah, I do. I’ve been in and around this building for two decades”.
Robertson announced his retirement in February, saying he would step down as Labour’s former Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to take up a new role as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Otago.
He will be the first non-academic to do so.
Correction
Saturday’s editorial incorrectly named Nicola Willis as deputy prime minister. She is the finance minister and deputy leader of National.