Grant Robertson Gay MP Grant Robertson's chances of emerging as leader of the Labour party have taken another hit with four of the six unions who have a say in the choice of leader now backing David Cunliffe. And, in worse news for Robertson, three of those four unions publicly backing Cunliffe have indicated they prefer dark horse candidate Shane Jones over Robertson in the three-candidate race. In the vote for who becomes Labour leader the unions have 20% of the voting power, Labour's party members has 40% and the party's caucus also 40% The Meat Workers', the Rail and Maritime Transport and the Dairy Workers' unions all rank the candidates as Cunliffe first, Jones second, Robertson third. The Maritime union has only stated that Cunliffe is its first choice. The two biggest unions who can influence the choice of leadership, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and the Service and Food Workers' Union, have not yet declared their preferences. Meanwhile, a Friday poll by 3 News of 500 people placed Cunliffe first, Jones second and Robertson third amongst general voters and also Labour voters. Robertson is still considered to be the first choice of the majority of the Labour caucus.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 9th September 2013 - 10:24am