Moving On...from 2014 to 2017 Labour Campaign

Where to from here?

Election night 2014 was going to be close.  Labour, Greens and New Zealand First might have got enough votes to form a centre left coalition. However, as the results started coming in on Saturday night it became increasingly obvious, it was not to be.  Labour and other parties on the left were abandoned by a voting public in favor of the National Party, who won a decisive victory. 

Our family with Greg Milner-White, Election night 2014

As a result, there will be a certain amount of reflection for everyone involved with the Labour Party. Greg Milner-White, candidate for East Coast Bays summarises this position succinctly:

We will need to take stock from the results, and have a hard look at our policies and the party to ensure that we in are a position in three years time to win back the government benches. We have some great people and ideas, and with renewed energy thinking, we can get there once again and become a winning force. It will be a challenging time and I hope that you will remain actively engaged with the party as we rebuild for the future.    

David Cunliffe on the campaign trail 

Greg is right.  We are facing a challenging time. In the wake of the election, political commentators are talking up the possibility of blood letting and leadership battles. Instead, we need to look at the positives of the campaign and build on those without looking for scapegoats to sacrifice.

The best contribution those who care about the Labour Party can make is to get actively involved. One lesson I have learnt from this campaign is that winning an election is not glamorous, it is hard work. Labour's 2017 campaign needs more people on the ground willing to get stuck in and get their hands dirty. That is what will put Labour back into government. Already on Saturday night, at the North Shore Labour Party headquarters discussions were underway about fundraising for the next campaign. Even our children were planning how they could help out.  

We need to support the party. Talking and whinging about what is wrong with Labour is not going to help. We need to join up, step up, and build up the Labour Party so we can win the next election. We need to start now. David Cunliffe said on Saturday night, "Tomorrow we begin the rebuild for 2017." My wife and I have contacted the Chairperson of the East Coast Bays Labour Electorate Committee indicating our willingness to be involved. 

We need more people to work with us.

What will you do?   

Some of our highlights from the campaign

#Staypositive