The leadership imbroglio in New Zealand's Labour Party seems to be aggravating with new aspirants joining the race for the top job. This has upset the calculations of the anti Cunliffe faction that was trying to make him a scapegoat for party's loss in the election.

The Labour MPs have time till next Tuesday to file nominations to enter the race for leadership. So far there are three candidates in the ring, but surprises are expected with some more entrants likely to jump into the fray, according to a 3 News report.

Prominent in the fray are David Cunliffe himself, seeking re-election and Grant Robertson trying his luck once more. The latest entrant is Mr Andrew Little, who announced his candidature on Thursday. Despite the party's drubbing Mr Cunliffe thinks he deserves another three-year term to lead the party successfully in the 2017 election. Mr Robertson unsuccessfully challenged Mr Cunliffe last year. But he is optmistic now that party will find him more useful this time.

Little Challenge

The new entrant Mr Little is a 49-year-old union leader and a former MP Mr Little has a unique logic with the claim of a track record to handle internal issues smoothly and he is hopeful that people want Labour government next time, if there is a reason. He wanted to be that reason.

Andrew Little will be the first former MP to lead the Labour Party if he becomes successful. He is confident that will not damage his chances, reported NZ Herald. Mr Little was defeated in the New Plymouth seat by National's Jonathan Young, who increased his margin from 4,000 to 10,000 this election. Little says his leadership would benefit the party and New Zealand. He claims to know what went wrong with Labour's disastrous campaign.

Result On November 18

The reason for the defeat of Labour was that voters did not understand key policies and got confused about the coalition government that Labour was going to form after the election. After filing the nominations the candidates will tour the country and meet up with the party members and union representatives who are part of the party primary electorate. The new leader will be announced on November 18.