When it comes to commenting on opinion polls, there is a simple rule that all politicians should follow. Don't do it.

To be sacked twice as a Cabinet minister in one parliamentary term would set some kind of unfortunate record. It's not for Nick Smith yet, writes John Armstrong.

John Key puts Labour's rocketing rise in a new Herald-Digipoll down to coverage of its recent leadership race.

Labour leader said to have singled out economy, inequality gap, environment and strengthening national identity.

For the first time in almost five years the Labour Party is "back in the game", as they are saying of Oracle.

Hereditary leaders belong in the pages of old copies of the National Geographic, writes Brian Rudman

Sue Moroney and Nanaia Mahuta have stepped up in prominent roles in new Labour leader David Cunliffe's frontbench reshuffle.

John Key remains well ahead of new Labour leader David Cunliffe as preferred Prime Minister, a new poll shows.

It may be too soon to say what sort of leader David Cunliffe will make for Labour, but it's not too soon to say what sort of leader he wants to be.

I celebrated the 120th anniversary of women's suffrage by going down to Parliament to stand in the public galleries while Labour MP Lianne Dalziel made her valedictory speech.

David Cunliffe had been Labour leader for barely 24 hours before he was boldly declaring he had put his party on a "war footing".

David Cunliffe leveraged the "axe the copper tax" campaign in Parliament yesterday to signal he intends to keep waging war against John Key's Government.

The bout everyone had been waiting for began just before 2pm with a lengthy handshake, and ended with Cunliffe bruised, writes John Armstrong.

Why can't an independent body fairly decide what a job should be paid? Or at least set a base living wage which people can actually live on, asks Brian Rudman.

Grant Robertson's decision to spurn the deputy leadership does not bode well for the Labour Party under its new leader.

John Key walked across Parliament’s debating chamber and shook David Cunliffe’s hand to congratulate him on his election as Labour leader before the battle commenced.

Prime Minister John Key says next year's election will be a battle of ideas and he is taking the challenge laid down by new Labour leader David Cunliffe seriously.

The new Leader of the Opposition, David Cunliffe, will face off against John Key in Parliament today - his first and only chance for four weeks.

On his first full day as Labour's leader, David Cunliffe was talking tough. Very tough. He announced that Labour was going on a "war footing".

New Labour leader David Cunliffe hinted this afternoon that he will recommend Grant Robertson as his deputy at tomorrow's vote.

The Labour caucus is under new management and Prime Minister John Key should be worried, says new leader David Cunliffe.

New Labour leader David Cunliffe received less than a third of the support of caucus when the votes were counted yesterday.

There was a conspicuous space on the wall in David Cunliffe's New Lynn office as he gave his first speech as Labour Party leader.

The new Labour Party leader is an ambitious, highly educated son of an Anglican vicar whose lofty goals and ego are seen as both an asset and a stumbling block.

The long-suffering Labour Party faithful have given those MPs in the Labour caucus who cannot stomach David Cunliffe a collective bloody nose.

Pressure on newly elected Labour leader to get it right The Labour Party can count its first open leadership election a success.