Labour's ruling council has released the terms of reference for a review of its 2014 election result.
For many pundits, Labour's worst poll result in 90 years had a simple explanation: the party had policies that generally polled well, but a leader that didn't.
However, the review will have a wider brief, and comprise three main elements.
The council says it will assess:
- a review of Labour's 2014 General Election campaign;
- a review of Labour's political positioning going forward, with reference to the past three General Election results; and
- recommendations for rebuilding and modernising Labour
The review process will include engagement with a wide range of people including party members.
The party said earlier that the review would be conducted by two independent outsiders.
The names of the reviewers will be announced within the next week.
Most of the work will be completed by December, party President Moira Coatsworth says — with the summer holiday, then the compilation of a final report, that suggests a process that would wrap up several months into 2015.
The timing of the review has already emerged as a procedural power play between leadership contenders David Cunliffe and Grant Robertson.
Mr Cunliffe's resignation as leader on Saturday was seen by some as a bid to force-along a leadership ballot, which he wants completed by Christmas.
Mr Robertson says the independent review process must be finished before a leadership vote.
The matter is coloured by the fact the review could conceivably include the primary-style leadership ballot system introduced last year, and a decision to scrap it.
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Labour's ruling council releases terms of reference for leadership review
41760