David Shearer too old for Mt Albert
by Jake Quinn
The NZ Herald reports that a “top-ranking United Nations official in Iraq is returning home to New Zealand to try and win the Labour nomination for the Mt Albert by-election”. It’s good to see so much media attention of this by-election, with the addition to the race of a candidate who failed in 2002 in Whangarei being listed in the website’s current ‘Top Stories’. I also understand he tried to run for Labour in Waitakere but was beaten to the spot by Lynne Pillay.
He sounds on paper like a sound Labour candidate; he’s got international social democratic organisation experience in his background, worked closely with current leader Phil Goff in Parliament (as his advisor when Phil was Minister of Foreign Affairs) and is from Auckland (well kinda).
However, I think his age at 50 is a negative factor. This seat is seen as fertile ground for bring in new young blood, hell that was poor old Twyford’s reason for standing aside. Some would say that 50 is young enough for renewal, but I disagree. There is the likely prospect of more than just a term in Opposition for Labour (iPredict has ‘There will be a National Prime Minister after the 2011 election’ at over %66), so candidates will, in all likelihood, get at least 6 years practice before being unleashed on the treasury benches, meaning a candidate now in their 50′s will be nearing their 60′s and that aint so fresh.
For that reason this contest is still a two horse race between two young candidates Meg Bates and Connor Roberts.
[Edit: I'm told Connor has withdrawn]
I respectfully disagree. Not that I don’t think Conor and Meg aren’t brilliant candidates but that renewal is more than age. It’s about ideas. And despite the fact that David Shearer may be a little more mature doesn’t mean that he isn’t spritely and full of ideas.
Personally I am torn on who should be selected. In an ideal world I think Judith and others would have stood aside for renewal to happen from the list, and Phil Twyford would have been elected MP for Mt Albert.
From the people that have put their names up I would be happy to see David or Meg selected.
I think David Shearer is an ideal list candidate for Labour. But Mt Albert needs someone young who would seek to hold the seat for a generation.
Connor has withdrawn.