Election 2014: Party member turns his back on Labour

Fraser Newman.

A former Rotorua Labour Party spokesman says he has become disillusioned with the party and spent Saturday night celebrating with Rotorua MP Todd McClay.

Rotorua Weekender columnist and local businessman Fraser Newman said he had given up his Labour Party membership, saying the party had lost its way.

Mr Newman said he also voted for Mr McClay on Saturday saying he was an effective local MP who worked hard and had delivered for the city.

"It's time for Labour to think about its future.

"Does it want to be a small left wing minority party or a centre-left party that appeals to middle New Zealand?"

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He said changing the leader was not going to help.

"This is a problem that goes to the core of the party.

"At the centre is the New Zealand [Labour Party] Council and the system of sector groups that push Labour to the far fringes of the left and plunge it into identity politics.

"Remember the 'man ban', any leader that takes on the job will have to contend with small-minded interest groups."

He said Labour should try to represent all New Zealanders.

"If it wants to represent only a minority, then it should expect a minority status.

"The election of independent minded leaders such as Kelvin Davis and Stuart Nash is a good thing - the fact they won against the odds is a sign of what voters want.

"Labour will need to scrap, or seriously reform the sector groups, and then return to middle New Zealand values - fairness, hard work and respect."