Labour has dropped its controversial plan to hold some women-only selections after its leader David Shearer asked for it to be withdrawn.

In getting the proposal off the table, Shearer has finally drawn on the well of authority inherent in his role as leader to bring the party to heel, writes John Armstrong.

Labour leader David Shearer will have to respond today to his party's proposal for a quota of female MPs after spending the weekend avoiding questions.

Prime Minister John Key has handed the Labour Party an olive branch over the GCSB bill.

Just when the country imagined women were doing well in politics, particularly in the Labour Party, the party's organisational wing says they are not.

Kerre McIvor asks: Who on Earth does Labour hope to appeal to with its proposal to have some electorates run women-only candidate selections?

No Labour MPs other than Manurewa's Louisa Wall will publicly back a proposal to have women-only selection short lists for some electorates to boost female MP numbers.

Congratulations to Party Central for putting gender equality ahead of diversity when it comes to the ranking criteria for selecting the next crop of Labour MPs.

The Labour Party is set to introduce a new rule under which electorates will be able to prevent men from seeking selection as a candidate by restricting it to women only.

Pita Sharples' resignation may be too little too late as far as strengthening the party's chances of surviving as a parliamentary force goes, writes John Armstrong.

How many drinks a day do you average?

David Shearer's claim that Labour pulled off an "outstanding" victory in Saturday's Ikaroa-Rawhiti byelection is hogwash, writes John Armstrong.

Longtime Labour MP Trevor Mallard is one of Parliament's last remaining renegades - being thrown out during question time with some regularity and remembered for his 2007 punch-up with National MP Tau Henare.

Voter support for Labour and its leader, David Shearer, has slumped in the latest Herald-DigiPoll survey which he's admitted came as 'a surprise'.

Labour desperately needs to review both how it takes the fight to National and how it should treat its would-be partners in government - the Greens and NZ First.

Labour's Trevor Mallard says United Future leader Peter Dunne should not have his funding restored even if his party re-registers.

The candidate is easy to spot - Meka Whaitiri stands on the footpath in a red duffle coat next to a bright-red people-mover with Labour signage and her name splashed over it.

Labour has confirmed four of its MPs were hosted in SkyCity's corporate box at Eden Park for the All Blacks versus France test last weekend.

The Labour Party has been accused of bullying after one of its MPs appeared to threaten a high-ranking police official's job.

What had Labour seething was the errant wording of a question in the 3News Reid Research poll, writes John Armstrong. The mistake may have been a simple oversight...

When Russel Norman snarls about business and profits, it repels the mainstream Labour needs if it is to get close to the 40 per cent it needs, writes John Roughan.

Mana leader Hone Harawira spat at the porridge in disgust, writes Claire Trevett. Prime Minister John Key thought the porridge was just right.

The Government is again accused of interfering to appoint a 'mate' to a top public sector job.

Ngati Kahungunu chief executive Meka Whaitiri yesterday won selection to stand for Labour in next month's Ikaroa-Rawhiti byelection to replace the late Parekura Horomia.