Mr Moyle Out Of Leadership Contest (Press, 27 January 1983)

On 27 January 1983, former Minister of Agriculture Mr C. J. Moyle announced he would not be contesting the Labour Party leadership, confirming a three-way contest for the position. Last year, Mr Moyle had hinted at a potential candidacy, citing a surge of support from his colleagues. At 51, he has a long political history, first being elected to Parliament in 1963. His resignation in 1977 followed a scandal related to a police incident regarding allegations of homosexual activities, which were later investigated by a Commission of Inquiry that found inconsistencies in his accounts. Mr Moyle, who represents Hunua and has been a strong ally of the current party leader, Mr Rowling, expressed that while he would step back from the leadership bid, he hadn’t ruled out the possibility of vying for the deputy leadership. In the race for party leadership, a former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr R. J. Tizard, publicly declared his intention to run, while Mr C. R. Marshall, MP for Wanganui, had already indicated his candidacy. The current deputy leader, Mr Lange, is also expected to be in the running though he has yet to make an official announcement. Mrs Ann Hercus, MP for Lyttelton, is the sole candidate to have openly declared her intention to seek the deputy leadership. There is a prevailing sentiment within Parliament that a South Island member should occupy the deputy position, especially if Mr Lange, who is from Mangere, is seen as a strong candidate for the leadership. However, Mr Moyle has contested the notion that geographical representation should dictate the leadership structure, insisting that the appointees should reflect the support and capabilities of the candidates rather than their region. Mr Moyle maintained he had received considerable backing from both the Labour Party and the public, reflecting his continuing influence despite his past controversies. He returned to Parliament in the 1982 election, winning against the incumbent National Party candidate, Mr W. R. Peters. As discussions about leadership roles intensify, the focus is placed on the dynamics within the party and the potential implications for its future direction.

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