Goff confirms his candidacy for Leader post-election

Ben Thomas from NBR reports that Phil Goff has confirmed that he will be a contender for the Labour Party leadership if Helen Clark stands aside, if they lose Government.

Mr Goff made the comments in an interview with Oliver Driver for the Alt TV show Let’s Be Frank two weeks ago. The interview will air tonight at 8.30 pm.

Trade minister Mr Goff said he would look at the leadership in the event of an election loss “If I felt that I was the best one [candidate] in that position and that Helen had stood aside voluntarily.” …

The comments are pragmatic, even banal, and reflect recent polling. But it is rare for a government minister to depart from the strong media lines out of the Beehive that polling under-represents government support. …

When asked earlier in the interview whether he was the leader in waiting Mr Goff said “I don’t know – that’s a decision made by caucus.”

Asked by Mr Driver if leadership was an ambition, Mr Goff responded “It’s not an overwhelming ambition.”

“I like the job I do. I’ve done it for the best part of 25 years. That’s been a very long sentence, that one.”

Did Phil Goff just say something along the lines of just being happy being the MP for Mt Roskill?