Congratulations to Chris Flatt, who has been chosen as the new General Secretary of the Labour Party. Chris is an experienced organiser and brings a range of really useful skills to the role. His selection is another step in Labour’s renewal process following our defeat in 2008. Chris comes from a new generation and I’m sure he will have a huge contribution to make to the Labour Party’s future.
I’d also like to warmly thank Mike Smith who has served his term as General Secretary with distinction. Mike Smith and former party president Mike Williams were a formidable team. While we were obviously disappointed with the 2008 result, if we judge their performance based on their entire tenure, it’s clear they provided solid and successful leadership to our party. I’m sure both will remain loyal and dedicated party activists, so it’s not so much goodbye as it is thanks for a job well done.
This level of spin ever make you seasick Hipkins?
Shouldn’t MPs wait for the official announcement before they comment? If that article was the announcement then it seems odd the party president wouldn’t say who got the nod. Was Andrew Little not in favour of Chris Flatt?
It’s an interesting story you link to, Mr Hipkins, suggesting a power struggle between Mr Goff and Mr Little to choose the right person for the job.
It’s true that Mr Smith and Mr Williams were in charge of the party organisation for a very long time. I wonder if history will really judge them for all the work they did, rather than the fiasco of the last election for Labour.