Labour MPs not taking the hint

The Herald reports that Labour has extended the deadline for MPs to declare if they are standing again, after few of them took the hints and announced their retirements.  They’er now going to try again after the Ministerial reshuffle.

Hawkins and Robertson can hold on to their seats for near life I suspect.  But Barker and Fairbrother may struggle as they need a winnable list place.  Labour in the past has protected all its MPs – will they do it again this time?

The boundary changes have shifted the paper majorities for National and Labour from 31-31 to 34-29 for National.  Other seats like Otaki are very vulnerable – Labour could drop down to 25 seats if effective local campaigns are held.  On the plus side that will give more spots on the list!