What's the civil war raging in the Alliance all about?

By AUDREY YOUNG

What is the war in the Alliance about?

It is a classic power struggle about who controls the Alliance, the MPs or the party. The battle lines are not neatly drawn but the party's leading activists are pitted against the parliamentary wing.

The MPs believe the party's role is to support them in their work; the party believes it is the MPs' role to follow directions laid down by the party. It has become an issue since disenchantment emerged over the party's performance in Government, culminating in revolt over Alliance support for sending New Zealand troops to the war in Afghanistan.

The MPs saw the efforts activists put into the anti-war campaign and say it should be directed towards supporting them.

Apart from the MPs, who are the key people?

Number one is Alliance president Matt McCarten, who founded the party with Jim Anderton. He is a former union organiser and president with a personal following. He entered the Auckland mayoralty at the last minute without consulting Anderton, and has become distanced from Anderton in Government.

Anderton is being advised by former law lecturer and now coalition manager Andrew Ladley, who wrote NewLabour's constitution in 1989, and media director John Pagani, whose influence has blossomed in Government.

McCarten allies include Dave Macpherson, an Alliance councillor, Anderton staffer in Opposition and now Hamilton city councillor, whom Anderton has disparagingly called the deputy chairman of the council's dog control committee. "Every dog has his day," was Macpherson's response.

Where have the flashpoints been?

The lower the party dips in the polls, the greater the internal pressure. There have been clashes this year over Sandra Lee being deposed as Mana Motuhake leader, over whether Laila Harre should talk to strikers, and over Harre's aborted run at the deputy leadership.

It came to a head when Alliance MPs supported the US-led military action in Afghanistan. Anderton was picketed and heckled at Alliance meetings in Auckland. McCarten spoke at public anti-war meetings. He pulled back and brokered a compromise "review" at the Alliance conference but the leftists challenged the caucus line. They narrowly lost when it was effectively made a confidence motion.

What is all this about accounting for party funds?

There are no suggestions of impropriety. It is part of the political debate about direction of the party.

Seven of the party's 10 MPs (Anderton, Lee, Robson, Wright, Gillon, Campbell and Bunkle) have stopped funding the party coffers that pay the wages of McCarten and other party workers. They say they will divert them to a caucus fund until they can all agree on the same strategy.

Three MPs (Harre, Jackson, and Gordon) are continuing the funding arrangement. But, it also emerged yesterday that Parliament's Speaker, Jonathan Hunt, is investigating claims that Alliance parliamentary staff - whose salaries are paid by taxpayers - have breached the rules by working on party business, not parliamentary business.

What's happened since the conference two weeks ago?

Anderton outlined the terms of the war-policy review then went on the warpath internally. He was furious that e-mails were being exchanged among members who want the review to overturn the war position.

Some were sent to Parliament-based staff in the electorate liaison unit. Security attempted to lock out four of those staff, citing authorisation from Ladley.

The union and Parliamentary Service intervened. Anderton and McCarten had a meeting at which Anderton suggested McCarten shape up or resign. McCarten walked out. Anderton and most of the caucus diverted their party funding. Each side accuses the other of betrayal and leaking.

Is there any end in sight?

After three days of open warfare in the media, Anderton yesterday proposed a ceasefire of sorts. He sent McCarten a "call me" message via whip Grant Gillon and laid out plans whereby he wants commitment from the party caucus, council and members to his strategy in Government.

But his implication that there has been a "dual strategy", with the left deliberately undermining the Coalition, is hardly conducive to a peace. It is a "for-me or against-me" approach which may buy only a short-term truce.

Who has the final say?

Next Tuesday's caucus will be important. But so is the Alliance council, as the ruling body of the party. When it meets on December 8 progress will be reported on the war review and on the internal war. The four people elected to the council from the floor of the conference were all strong anti-war advocates.

Anderton said last week that he did not have to answer to anyone. But under the constitution the Alliance council sets policy and approves reports of other Alliance bodies.

The constitution states: "The parliamentary caucus shall determine the management of Alliance parliamentary work and activities to advance the Alliance objectives in accordance with Alliance council decisions." Many activists are angry that MPs have not paid enough attention to those last six words.

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So who are the Alliance caucus?

Jim Anderton

Former Labour Party president and MP. Domineering style. Teamed up with leftist Labour Party dissidents such as Matt McCarten, Laila Harre and Matt Robson to lead internal revolt in 1989 against the New Right policies of Roger Douglas. Formed NewLabour, then Alliance in 1991 with the Democrats, Mana Motuhake and the Greens (who left in 1997). Rapprochement with Labour 18 months before last election. NewLabour dissolved as part of its grand plan for a unitary party. Relies more on Democrats these days. Has taken to power as though he were born to it. Minister of Economic Development and Deputy Prime Minister in coalition Government.

Sandra Lee

Anderton loyalist. Deputy to Anderton since 1991. Not a fan of Laila Harre. Long-standing friction between her and McCarten, exacerbated when he started thinking aloud about standing in her old stomping ground, Auckland Central. Knifed by Willie Jackson as Mana Motuhake leader in June. She suspects McCarten's encouragement. Was thinking of giving it all away next election but was persuaded by Anderton to stay on as deputy leader to head off Laila Harre's tilt at the job. Winning the deputy leadership has revived her spirits. A Mana Motuhake MP in name only. Minister of Conservation.

Matt Robson

Anderton loyalist, ex-NewLabour. Anderton's long-time favoured heir and successor for leadership. Liked not just by Labour but across parties for his affable style. Worked as employment and immigration lawyer.

Has fallen out big time with his old friend Laila Harre. Backed Anderton over Harre at the Alliance council meeting this year when Harre challenged Anderton's refusal to let her speak to striking Herald journalists. Former member of Socialist Action League. Minister of Corrections.

Laila Harre

McCarten loyalist - not that you would necessarily know it. Sometimes prefers communicating by silence. The only minister not to speak at party conference this month reinforcing caucus backing of NZ involvement in war in Afghanistan. However, she didn't oppose it in caucus or cabinet.

A tough former trade union lawyer and darling of the leftists, who see her as the natural successor to Anderton. Geared up to challenge Sandra Lee for deputy leadership at conference but got spooked over possibility of losing. Minister of Women's Affairs. Ex-NewLabour.

John Wright

Anderton loyalist. Democrats leader, who owes his success in the Alliance to that position and has been rewarded for loyalty to Anderton. Shot to prominence during Selwyn byelection 1994.

Profile has been fading ever since. Doesn't make much impact but doesn't make mistakes either. Under-secretary for economic and regional development.

Grant Gillon

Anderton loyalist, Democrat. Until last week, maintained good links with the leftists and a pragmatic working relationship. Does whip's job well - a firefighter in more ways than one. Will do his utmost to protect leader. Taking the brunt for the attempted lock-out of party workers at Parliament last week. Rough and ready street-fighting tendencies but a bit of a loose cannon, who embarrassed his own side last year with a tasteless joke about sheep and "Tory males".

Phillida Bunkle

Anti-McCarten but not an Anderton loyalist. Well regarded by grass roots members who see her as watchdog of the caucus but muddied her reputation with allowances scandal.

Was never close to Anderton but has been distanced even further since then. Moving her toe back into Anderton camp by agreeing to cut tithing to party coffers. Candidate for reinstatement to associate ministership after work on GM and women's health. Her partner, economist John Lepper, is economic adviser to Anderton. Close to Sandra Lee but not Laila Harre. A former Green. Well respected by the Democrats.

Willie Jackson

McCarten loyalist but not anti-Anderton. Strong links with the party leftists through his former life as union organiser. Left Mana Motuhake under Sandra Lee when he was demoted on party list in favour of Alamein Kopu. Joined NewLabour but returned to Mana Motuhake and was elected in 1999.

Rolled Sandra Lee as leader in June, earning the public rebuke of Anderton and Prime Minister Helen Clark. He and Lee barely communicate. Trying to conciliate between McCarten and Anderton. Supported the party's position on SAS because so many of the SAS are Maori.

Liz Gordon

Harre leaner but not anti-Anderton. Ex-NewLabour. Tussled with Mana Motuhake under Sandra Lee over her 1996 selection. An education specialist, more the earnest backroom worker than one of the tough players. Expressed disquiet over the lock-out of Alliance workers last week and has refused Anderton's request to stop her tithing going into party coffers.

Kevin Campbell

Anderton loyalist, ex-NewLabour. Alliance candidate in Taranaki-King Country byelection where the party received 15 per cent of the vote. Former trainee priest, police officer turned lawyer, with a conservative social justice background similar to Anderton's. Gentle and caring type, uncomfortable with lock-out of Alliance workers and hostilities in party. Has moved to Christchurch near Anderton's Wigram electorate. Long-term goal for him to step into Wigram after Anderton's retirement.