Red Alert is the voice of Labour MPs. Lately we’ve been a bit quiet and you can imagine why.
Gutted is the word to describe how we’re feeling right now. Darren was a valued member of caucus, our Whip. A very talented and witty man. Popular. Dedicated to Labour.
Grieving is what we’re doing right now. So give us a bit of latitude. We’ll be back, strong and focussed.
Comments will be tightly moderated.
I do appreciate that Labour have had one of their worst weeks certainly since the 2008 election, and there are clearly issues that need to be worked through and the reprecussions from the electorate will no doubt be severe.
I understand that blogging will be very light and will also be well considered.
Darren will be a loss, and his resignation and the circumstances surrounding has hurt the once proud Labour Party.
I look forward to this sorid issue passing and the focus returning to the debate about the direction of the country by John Key under National or Phil Goff under Labour.
Simply Put!!!! If he was ‘not guilty’ then he should have stayed and been given support from the Labour Party… that he has left says a lot about the modern Labour Party! more into playing political games than one of strong principles with strong working class policy… sadly so…
Brave blog Clare, Having had a quick read around the usual suspects I think I would have opted to just turn comments off.
damned if you do and damned if you dont. I still believe it was right that someone resigned, I just think the wrong person did.
I thought that the “grilling” that that tufty-headed tosser gave Phil Goff on Close Up last night was particularly reprehensible.
The guy was so desperate to try to leach out some sort of tabloid-level admission from Phil. It was utterly pathetic – like some spotty teenager scrabbling through a dictionary looking for rude words. God I wish I could tell him what a cock he is.
If anyone knows him, do please pass on my regards.
We’re going to miss Darren’s presence in Parliament. Good luck to him in his future endeavours, and of course, in clearing his name.
Im trying hard to get the balance of this post right.
I understand why you are gutted. This is not a good situation.
BUT there is a chance that there are legs to this investigation (and Im not making any comments as to what it is). But they are potentially very serious, and if he is guilty (and only time and the legal system will tell this), then he is not worthy of sympathy, or grieving. He should be held very accountable for his actions (again assuming guilt).
If on the other hand – he is completely innocent I really feel for him – politics are one of jobs where ‘perception’ can kill ones career – and I hate that – esp if its found out not to be true.
Either way – is it not best for all to wait and see what happens before saying what a monster, or what a great guy he is – because one side of that equation is going to be very wrong.
Note the two articles written by john armstrong, one today about this incident and the one about richard worth.
read carefully
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10576688
Perhaps you need to be less obtuse Tracey. All you have done is point out the contrast between the Goffs response to a scandal and Keys response to a scandal. I cant for the life of me see the point you are trying to make – please make it clear. Unless the point is
Goff = school boy errors
Key = handled much better than Goff.
??
it is sad that this incident, no matter what the final outcome will likely hurt those at the bottom of society in nz more than the damage to the labour party.
unles something amazing happens i cant see labour getting anywhere now in this years election, which is very sad from a labour party perspective, but how will this affect those that are already struggling and were hoping for labour to get in and turn things around.
this incident, whatever the outcome may well see many more children go to school with no food in there lunchbox. the people at the bottom and middle are not those that national look after and strive for, that is your job and responsibility labour.
sorry, but to put it bluntly, suck it up and get on with it
Thanks for sharing so honestly Clare. It’s times like these that test our faith.
Monty – even your ‘oh I agree’ post attempts to put the snide boot in. You really have no class. Labour is still proud. National on the other hand…why did Worth leave? Still waiting…
If he did nothing wrong why did he go?
If he did something wrong, then take some friggin’ responsibility for it, instead of talking like you’re a bunch of victims.
There is no reason any politician should be out drinking with an 18 year old (if that’s what happened), especially some one like the senior whip.
Platitudes from Labour in the coming months about looking after and encouraging young people will seem rather hollow if you guys don’t take responsibility.
Or perhaps you guys live on another planet and don’t realise this.
Its a crazy world when a talented bloke has left the arena even though he has not even been charged with anything. Best wishes for Darren.
Michael, can you let us know what age is ok for drinking with?
By “wrong” do you mean illegal or something else? If you are applying a moral standard (which I agree with because I am sick of people, including business people saying “it wasnt illegal” as though that makes it ok) can you explain how Heatley came back? How Brownlee never went? How Worth got appointed, used diplomatic status for business ends and wasnt sacked by the PM?
I seem to recall David Parker went and he did nothing wrong, morally OR legally. No bouquets for that behaviour and accountability?
I’m just trying to get a gauge on your moral compass?
Michael, why, exactly, shouldn’t anyone, whether they’re a politician, a senior whip, or not, be out drinking with an eigthteen year old?
I, Claire, and most, if not all, of the people responding here live on a part of this planet called New Zealand, where there’s nothing wrong with doing that.
For a second there Clare I read the headline and I thought you were a South African cricket supporter.
It is enormously sad that this part of Darren Hughes parliamentary career is over.
But he made some unwise decisions. Darren has been in the public eye long enough to know that you don’t put yourself in a position where a sexual allegation can be made – whether it is true or not.
People may say it’s unfair MPs live in a fish bowl – I say if you are not prepared for it, don’t go into parliament.
Other professions too have to be careful not to put themselves in positions where sexual allegations can be made – teachers, police, doctors.
Phil Goff has come out of it worse than Darren. He made some unwise decisions too.
Darren is a great guy and a great politician. I’m sad that he has gone. I wish him well for the future.
Oh come on, this whole affair is entirely self inflicted. Pull yourselves together.
Darren should have kept his beer goggles in his top pocket and Goff should have manned up weeks ago over this. He looked like a total and absolute incompetent fool on 3 News when he said “had learned something” about his prior handling of the Worth affair.
Well so have we; Goff’s principles depend on whats in it for him.
Let this be an opportunity to cut out the dead wood and finally offer the people a party run on unambiguous and straight up social-democratic principles.
Some times I despair for the Labour party as an efficient opposition
You feel “gutted”
Darren says “he did nothing wrong” and only he and the complainant know if that is true
So why didn’t the Labour caucus not give him the support that would have allowed him to clear his name
And now it is reported you are having BBQs and counting numbers
Really as the kids say ” you should get your shit together”
The next election is winnable but the way you are working you don’t deserve to win and all the left can hope for is a wholesale clean out and a new start
PS except you Claire
gn says:
Oh come on, this whole affair is entirely self inflicted….
One should remermber, anyone can make a complaint to Police. Speculation is all that has happened from every other court.The Police have been what appears to be, the only reasonable response to this. That of, saying nothing until the time may arise.If one expects all politicians to be connected “Truman Show” style, who would ever want to take up the job?
Darren will be a sad loss for the party and wish him all the best in clearing his name.
Where to from here for the party itself that has been struggling against the Key machine??
Long- time Labour supporter and hope for a change of direction.I don’t hold much hope for success at the next election as much a sit pains me to say this. The only way I see this moving forward is for Labour to change the guard and put forward some fresh faces/thinking and maximise their publicity during this year’s election coverage.To wait until after , I believe, will be detrimental to Labour regainign power in the longer term.
On a positive note, Labour has many wonderful people to do this such as David Parker, David Shearer, Jacinda Ardern who all have newewr thinking and come across as being very personable. Many other great people with truck loads of experience to back them up but I think this is really needed.
I think there is little to be gained from speculation on Darren’s innocence or guilt. There is a process to be followed and there may not even be any charges laid.
Irrespective of that, however, there was young university student involved here who was clearly distraught. I don’t see any comments of support, or even concern, for him here.
Totally agree Nick Taylor. His name is Mike Hosking and he’s Newstalk ZB’s breakfast host. The best word to describe his performance last night on that Close Up interview is obnoxious. Like his predecessor Paul Holmes (although I don’t believe Holmes would have behaved that badly) it would seem fame and fortune has gone to his scruffy head.
Newstalk ZB is NZ’s answer to the American Tea Party brigade so the behaviour isn’t all that surprising.
@Michael
You say: “There is no reason any politician should be out drinking with an 18 year old”
For the record, National MP Simon Bridges was there too. And many other people.
I make no comment on the police matter. But if you genuinely object to the “drinking”, then you have just thrown out most of Parliament.
In short, don’t be silly.
I am disappointed. Darren had a good career in front of him – and the whole situation is disappointing for the following, IMO;
1. The medias behaviour has been disgusting – I hope the Herald reporters are reading this because you (as in the herald reporters) should be ashamed. Their sensationalist reporting based on NOTHING substantial except blatant here-say appalls me. It is disappointing that they never get to face up to how their gutter reporting steers kiwis down a dubious path. I did not see the close up reporting – but I can imagine. What is this – Fox? My message – grow up and do your job correctly. Best summed up by Brian Edwards article in his blog.
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2011/03/the-herald-offers-the-inside-story-on-darren-hughes-fateful-night-read-it-and-be-there/
2. I am disappointed that a promising young MP has had to resign – sadly, public and media take the resignation as a form of guilt. I hope its not – and if it turns out that he is innocent, because his resignation has been accepted – there is no come back. And that makes me disappointed in the leader – by all means stand him down until the outcome is known – and even on no pay if you must, but it feels like Darren (and I admit I just have a feeling on this – no evidence and I hope I am wrong) was strongly encouraged to resign. That is not good leadership in my book, a good leader does not take the easy option – they support their people, and when/unless an outcome is known, follow due process until the process has reached its conclusion. In this case, the investigation is not known, and a resignation is seen as an admission – even if the reason for resigning is to take the heat off. That makes the mud stick even more.
3. I am disappointed for Labour – things were getting better and it is terrible to have a key player cobbled/taken out of play before the game has even really started to heat up.
4. If the statement that the release of this was from the beehive/parliament – then that disappoints me as well – especially if Darren is found to be innocent. Seems like muck raking – and its consequences are huge.
Incidentally, the comment above about drinking with 18 yr olds – come on – are you for real. Both Lab and Nat mps were out with their junior members – neither immoral or a crime. It would be the same as nurses, police or teachers, going out to celebrate with their trainees.
Finally, I am disappointed for Darren and his colleagues – I hope that it works out for him in the end. I can imagine how you and your colleagues must be feeling right now Claire. Thank you for your bravery in allowing us to share our thoughts. Not only is that hard, but it takes courage, and I personally would like to say Kia Kaha to you all. You are in a tricky position – hang on in there and trust the system is expedient and fair.
and what ever happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty and as for the number of wrong convictions in our justice system….
Kia Kaha Darren
No real winners in this. A distraction we didn’t need and the loss of a talented member of the labour caucus.
I agree with Paul’s (and Brian’s comments) about the media. I’ve long said that the herald’s misuse of its print monopoly in Auckland cost us votes.
Basically I wondered which chair around the cabinet table they were offered for their last effort, the sub editorial tweaking on key issues is masterful but occasionally the camouflage entirely falls away . The homophobic cartoon of Darren dressed in pink wrapped in his own whip is Granny Herald’s true face.
That really disappoints me is the Dom post competing to be John’s little puppy dog this morning by constructing a non-story about Labour being in “disarray.” Full of conjecture and gossip.
Sure Phil and Labour have an uphill battle but remember the context: Gengus Khan could (and arguably does-sorry Gerry!) look good in “disaster sound bite” mode in the media. The idea of “policy” “policy” “policy” is the only one. Coming up we have Kiwisaver and working for families to really push an alternative vision on.
Disappointing that a “rising labour star” fed the Dom post’s leadership speculation along with someone called “labour sources”. The tonic would be caucus demonstrating unity and discipline. The first raw stage of grief isn’t the time to make long term plans.
Kia kaha
Agreed.
Waterboy said:
“this incident, whatever the outcome may well see many more children go to school with no food in there lunchbox. the people at the bottom and middle are not those that national look after and strive for, that is your job and responsibility labour.”
Actually waterboy Labour abandoned the poor for political expediency many years ago and buried them under the Clark regime.
This is a hard time for Labour, there’s no escaping that and I expect the caucus will be analysing the situation and how to adapt as things progress. I can imagine that it is disheartening to lose a valued colleague in this way, but this country needs you to stand up for us. The economic indicators are all wrong – unemployment, stagnant growth, inflation. People are hurting out there and we need someone to stop it. We have a government intent on channeling public assets into private hands. A government that cares little for middle New Zealand and not at all for the disadvantaged in our communities. A government that’s going to oversee the largest retrenchment in public services in our country’s history just as their true value has been revealed by its response to natural disaster.
We need representatives who can demonstrate an alternative to Key’s jaundiced ambition for this country. To provide hope, instead of despair. To provide consolation for those who suffer. And understanding to a community that has lost its voice.
We need you to get back on your feet. Every politician must know that they will encounter crises, scandals and hardships in their career. It is only then that they really reveal their character. The best of them become true leaders, forged in the fire. This is a testing year for Labour. Don’t surrender to misfortune.
I find it really sad that the media focusses on this rubbish and not policy, which is what they should be doing. It amuses me when the media get up in arms about people’s sex lives.
What I find fascinating is the constant references to the victim being just out of school. Fromthe beginning the media tried to make it seem as though a school child had been abused.
IF this young man has been sexual harassed or abused I wish him well and hope he gets all the support he deserves.
I would rather the media focused as much energy on the kind of abuser that sexually abused me. The kind who was white male middle class, and who was never held to account because as an 11 year old I was so bewlidered I told no one until I was 19 (a similar age to this young man now). I did not want to go to the police because I didnt want to hurt his wife who was like a grandmother to me. I was a law student yet very unsure of the reaction of the police to an 8 year old complaint.
I am pleased the world has changed sufficiently that this young man felt he could complain, but I know from experience (more recent) that young women and girls still are way under reporting abuse.
Innocent til proven guilty is a farce and has been for a very long time. Salacious based desire to “know” replaced it a long time ago.
Clare the happenings of the past few days have resulted in a talented politician stepping down (perhaps too soon. Unfortunately party leadership failed him perhaps as much as his judgement at the time, but the biggest issue is that NZ can sorely afford to lose talented people of any political persuasion from parliament. Heartfelt empathy to you all from a supposedly heartless Tory
So sad to see Darren go. He was such a good guy. We need more like him in Parliament.
unlike many politicians (on all sides) I know no-one who has a bad word to say about Darren. What he is going through now is actually trial by media – journalists (of all people) judging what behaviour is OK.
Sorry, but if you really are the Government-in-waiting as I hope you are (will be), it is not okay to grieve or ask for latitude. You are in opposition! How can we trust you to run the country if you go to ground over something like this?
Get on with being the opposition.
For the simple answer to the question “innocent until proven guilty” it is not a question of criminal guilt or innocence. It is something of a question of credibility.
For those who think the media has not served their particular party’s interest, I would suggest your party does not own the media, and they have just proved it.
For those who think it is unfair to judge politicians by a much higher standard than the general public; it is entirely fair. These people are chosen to lead our country and must be beyond reproach. Much the same standard is applied across the board regardless of whichever party is involved.
I’m not sure what the point of bleating on about “grieving” is.
The media focus on this issue has partly been directed by petty gossip. Fair enough that you are annoyed about that, but it is hardly unexpected.
However, the real story has been about Labour’s mishandling of the issue — if you want to run a country your incompetence here is relevant and telling.
Oh that post moderated out of existence ! So perhaps rolling Hughes was not a Nats/Govt conspiracy, it was an internal Labour conspiracy to destabalise the leadership !? Now I see…
Phil Goff has managed these events well. The media have been groping, and gambling on some amazing revelation being coaxed out of someone. So far there MIGHT have been a streaker.
But here is my concern. What has Darren Hughes brought to the Education spokesmanship – the most vulnerable portfolio of all for National. For how much longer will Labour give Anne Tolley an armchair ride? Is David Shearer ready to rock and roll>
Like everyone one I am absolutley gutted Darren was let go too early.Clare it’s great to see politicians like yourself come out openly and support this young star of the future.I have no qualms in saying he will return to politic as this is his passion.Darren by nature is a natural leader and displayed his skill everytime he stood in the house.I certainly hope the door is left open in the Labour Party for Darren as his style of politics is just what our Party needs.
There is a complaint of sexual assault by a just-out-of-school 18-year-old against a Labour MP. I would actually like to see Labour MPs stand up and say “Its not OK.” Chris Trotter is right – a lot of NZers will not vote for a party that is morally compromised.
Andy Haden commented along the lines that Robin Brooke’s victims were asking for sexual assault and got sacked as a govt rugby ambassador for it. As far as I can see, Labour MPs appear fall into Andy Haden’s camp – there certainly seems to be no feeling that there is a victim here other than Darren Hughes. Say something! Show some integrity!
Well said, Bea.
Behviour doesn’t need to be illigal to be unacceptable, especially when it comes from a public figure.