Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson With Phil Goff all but certain to resign as party leader in the wake of Labour's resounding defeat last night a gay MP and a forthrightly pro-glbt equality MP are in serious contention to rise to the deputy leader position. The political rumour mill is buzzing and informed insiders are whispering that two pairings have emerged in behind the scenes Labour party manouvering. Option one appears to be David Cunliffe as leader and Lianne Dalziel as deputy. Option two pairs David Parker with gay MP Grant Robertson. Robertson has long been considered as leadership material after he emerged as Wellington Central Mp in 2008. Before that he had been active in student politics and then behind the scenes in Parliament where he was considered to be one of the most powerful people in the office of then-PM Helen Clarke. Currently Robertson is not commenting on these suggestions. He lives in Wellington with his partner, Alf. The pair met while playing for the Wellington gay rugby team and ten years later held a civil union ceremony in 2009.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 27th November 2011 - 3:22pm