Old divisions reopened in Cabinet reshuffle

By AUDREY YOUNG and RUTH BERRY

Helen Clark's Cabinet reshuffle this week has reopened division between Labour's left and right factions.

The Prime Minister chose chief whip and Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope - regarded as a left leaner - to replace sacked Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel - also a South Island left leaner.

Members of the right faction had lobbied for Associate Immigration Minister Damien O'Connor, a West Coaster, to fill the vacancy.

One MP said the promotion sent a message to all MPs that their contributions were irrelevant if they didn't meet the "quota" requirements.

Another said a "coalition of interests" was dissatisfied over Mr Benson-Pope's appointment, not just the right-wing faction.

Some expected that a promotion of a minister outside Cabinet - Mr O'Connor - would create a vacancy for a senior backbencher as associate minister.

Taking the failed bid hardest are said to be Cabinet minister John Tamihere and minister outside Cabinet Dover Samuels, Mr O'Connor's flatmates.

But other MPs denied there were any significant concerns and said the ripples involved the typical "wounded pride" that followed reshuffles.

The resentment over Mr Benson-Pope's promotion was matched by that over the surprise appointment of Trevor Mallard to the new role of Race Relations Minister.

The Maori caucus was not consulted over the appointment or his mandate to review Maori programmes and Treaty of Waitangi references in legislation.

The disgruntlement on the Labour right has been plain around Parliament this week though no MPs are prepared to complain publicly.

A spokesman for Helen Clark said there had been no delegations or representations to her on the matter of the new Cabinet minister.

"Competition is always intense for positions in the Executive."

While there might be grumbles, any talk of rebellion was simply not true, he said.

"It's the end of the matter, it was over on Tuesday."

Labour's factions developed during the Rogernomics reforms of the fourth Labour Government. They operate informally and are as apparent for their social bonds as their leanings.

Generally the right faction can be viewed as the group within Labour that would find it insulting to be regarded as "politically correct" and is largely more conservative on social issues.

The factions have always been a strong consideration in Helen Clark's promotions. Her coup against right-leaning Mike Moore in 1993 was successful only because of the dominance of the left and she has deliberately attempted to achieve a balance to minimise bitterness.

Among others in the right faction are Clayton Cosgrove, David Cunliffe, Janet Mackey, Taito Phillip Field, George Hawkins and the informal leader, Phil Goff.

Those regarded as left-leaning Labour members include Steve Maharey, Ruth Dyson, Margaret Wilson, Chris Carter, Mark Burton, Marian Hobbs, Mark Gosche and Judith Tizard.

Labour's factions

Right: Phil Goff, Damien O'Connor, John Tamihere, Dover Samuels, Clayton Cosgrove, David Cunliffe, Janet Mackey, Taito Phillip Field, George Hawkins.

Left: David Benson-Pope, Lianne Dalziel, Steve Maharey, Ruth Dyson, Margaret Wilson, Chris Carter, Mark Burton, Marian Hobbs, Mark Gosche, Judith Tizard.