New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key Smiles After the General Election in Auckland.
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key smiles after the general election in Auckland November 26, 2011. Reuters/Stringer

New Zealand's opposition leader David Cunliffe has resigned, citing responsibility for his party's poll debacle. In a statement, the Labour Party leader said he accepted full responsibility for the party's rout in the general election and is resigning. His resignation will be effective from Tuesday.

Job Incomplete

Though he resigned as leader of the Labour Party, Cunliffe has thrown his hat into the leadership contest with a determination to win the post yet again, reported NZ Herald. His rival will be Grant Robertson, the same man whom he beat in 2013. Before resigning, Mr Cunliffe spent the last four days "searching soul" and decided to re-contest. Despite accepting responsibility for the poor result, Mr Cunliffe believed his job was incomplete and he must stay on to change the party to make it win the polls in 2017. This, he said, will not put himself ahead of the interests of the party.

Criticism

There was widespread criticism within the Labour Party against Mr. Cunliffe's leadership. The party faced its most miserable defeat with a mere 24 per cent of the popular vote, which was the worst performance in New Zealand's political history. The National Party, led by Prime Minister John Key, got the mandate for a third time with a bigger majority.

Cunliffe put up heavy resistance to step down and own up the blame. Support to Cunliffe dwindled from the 32-member caucus. It remains to be seen how he will bounce back to Labour's leadership. Meanwhile, former Labour Party President Mike Williams said Cunliffe did the right thing by resigning, reports Stuff.Co.Nz. However, he said, Cunliffe will not be seen as a legitimate leader if he gets re-elected. Cunliffe should withdraw his nomination to contest the leadership, Williams demanded.

With a new leader at the helm, the Labour party has the potential to come back and face the 2017 election, he said.

But Mike Smith, a former Labour Party general secretary, said the future of Labour Party did not rest entirely in the hands of the leader. Smith said a proper review of the party's election performance was required and it must address the deeper issues within. Smith quipped that a jockey cannot do much when the horse itself was not fit.