Brown's resignation right move, Goff says

Labour leader Phil Goff says British Labour Party's Gordon Brown has done the "honourable thing" by resigning as leader and giving his party a better chance of coming to a deal with the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Goff, who is in Nelson for a full day caucus of his party, said this morning that given the election result, standing down was the right thing for Mr Brown to do "and he should be acknowledged for doing so."

"The Liberal Democrats are clearly in a strong negotiating position. It seems the Conservatives may not have offered them what they're looking for.

"They're now talking with the Labour Party and Gordon Brown has done the honourable thing by saying 'if my position as leader of the Labour Party is an obstacle to such a coalition then I will step aside."

Mr Goff said he had met Gordon Brown last year in Chile and was impressed.

"He comes across as somebody with an image of being dour. He's actually a very passionate speaker and someone who believes strongly in the values that led him to Labour."

Today's caucus meeting follows a series of regional visits to businesses and schools in Nelson yesterday.

Tomorrow Mr Goff will deliver a pre-Budget address. While it is not expected to contain new policy, Mr Goff said it would give a clear indication of the direction of Labour's thinking in several areas.