Shit

Pretty disappointing to read that Andrew Little has decided to not stand in 2008 and look to 2011 instead.

One columnist suggested recently that rather than Shane Jones, Little could be the next Labour Prime Minister. He has all the leadership skills, is fantastic in the media, and is prepared to not always toe the party line. Goff may take over from Helen at some point, but that will only ever be an interim measure, Little is far more likely to lead Labour to victory.

Labour needs to regenerate itself, and unfortunately the only stand out new candidate that I can now think of is Grant. Phil Lewin of Positively Wellington Business (who has been talked up as a future candidate since 1999) is also not standing according to the Dom - although the way it is written as a throw away line at the end, I'm hoping they've reported that wrong.

While Grant is a great guy and will one day be Foreign Minister, there need to be others. Swain will probably stand again as a backbencher in Rimutaka as there doesn't seem to be anyone better - which of course isnt the worst result, he should still be a minister, and is far from being one of the problem backbenchers.

I can't help but think a difficult challenge just got a whole lot harder.