Fri 26 Sep 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Grant Robertson Grant Robertson is saying little about speculation he will make a tilt for the Labour leadership, with Jacinda Ardern as his suggested deputy. "In response to numerous media inquiries, I would like to reiterate that I respect David Cunliffe's statement that he is taking time to reflect and take soundings in light of the election result and discussions at Caucus on Tuesday," Robertson says in a statement today. "Like all MPs and members of the Party I am doing the same. "In the meantime my only other comment is to say that I fully support the processes that the Party has in place to deal with these issues." Robertson is openly-gay and as was the case when he was in the running for the Labour leadership last year, there have again been suggestions his sexuality could alienate some party supporters. The Wellington Central MP makes it very clear his sexuality is only one "part" of who he is. "I am proud and comfortable with who I am. Being gay is part of who I am, just as is being a former diplomat, a fan of the mighty...Wellington Lions, and a fan of New Zealand music and New Zealand literature," he's stated in the past. "My political view is defined by my sexuality only inasmuch as it has given me an insight into how people can be marginalised and discriminated against, and how much I abhor that. I am lucky that I have largely grown up in a generation that is not fixated on issues such as sexual orientation. I am not - and neither should others be."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 26th September 2014 - 11:40am