Three hats two too many

Andrew Little couldn’t give a better example of why being Labour Party president, national secretary of the EPMU and a would-be Labour MP means he’s wearing two hats too many:

But on TV3’s The Nation this morning, Mr Little seemed to be at odds with Labour Party Leader Phil Goff’s position on whether workers should be able to cash in their fourth week of annual leave.

Mr Goff has said he is relaxed about it, Mr Carter considered that a flip-flop and wrote his now infamous letter.

Today, Mr Little ruled it out.

“There will be no tradeability of the fourth week of annual leave,” he said.

That is a valid comment from a unionist but a party president and would-be MP should leave any comments on policy to the leader and caucus.

Disputing the leader’s comments on party funds isn’t helpful either:

But he denied Mr. Carter’s allegations that the party was short of money.

“As the president of the party I get the monthly financial reports…I know what the state of the parties finances are in, they are very healthy.”

Especially when he contradicts himself a few sentences earlier (07.58)

“We’ve been paying back debt from the last election . . .

Still being in debt from the last election when we’re at least half way to the next one doesn’t sound like the party finances are particularly healthy.