I’ve said in the primary race repeatedly that a Labour Party that I lead would be a true red Labour Party, be very clear about its social democratic roots and its social democratic agenda. – David Cunliffe
I have never commented on a caucus issue or a shadow Cabinet issue, and I’m not about to start now. – David Cunliffe
I support a constitutional conversation, as the Labour Party does, which will allow New Zealanders to evolve a more mature and stable constitutional form, but that’s not something that I, as Labour Party, would want to impose, either on the party or on the public. – David Cunliffe
I do not believe it is all about the leader. I think it’s about the team, too. So we have one mission; we have one team; we are working to victory. – David Cunliffe
I have picked the very, very best deputy that I could. David Parker is a fantastic guy. He’s a person who I trust absolutely. He’s got a wonderful sense for policy. He will be great on organisation, and I know that I could not have a better deputy. – David Cunliffe
I think that’s what all New Zealanders who are fair-minded want – a good chance for everybody to get ahead, whether it’s education or housing. – David Cunliffe
Socialism’s not a word that I use. I say ‘social democracy’ because I don’t think the government needs to own all the means of production. – David Cunliffe
I want to get down to the nuts and bolts of what is actually going to change to lift New Zealand’s economic performance. – David Cunliffe
If there’s a sustainable job that will create sustainable value, people will hire for it. – David Cunliffe
I’ve been really clear that my first job as leader of the Labour Party and co-leader of the labour movement is to engage with our base. – David Cunliffe