David Bridges
Independent MP Gaurav Sharma says he is resigning from Parliament after claiming the Labour Party intended to force him out of Parliament.
But Jacinda Ardern says he is wrong and Labour “have not, and are not, considering invoking the waka jumping provisions”.
The Hamilton West MP has written a lengthy statement on Facebook, claiming Labour plans to use the waka jumping legislation six months before the next general election to force him out of Parliament and ensure there is no need for a by-election. If an MP leaves Parliament within six months of an election, Parliament can choose not to hold a by-election.
“I have sincere concerns that this underhanded move will mean people of Hamilton West will have no voice in Parliament for 6 months preceding the next General Election,” Sharma says.
However, he says he is “pre-empting” Labour’s move and will resign.
“This will trigger a by-election, giving the people of Hamilton an opportunity to not lose their democratic rights of having a voice in Parliament by underhanded tactics of the government and the Labour Party.”
But in a statement, Ardern, the Labour leader, says the party’s position on Sharma and the waka jumping legislation has not changed.
“We have not, and are not, considering invoking the waka jumping provisions, nor do I know the basis of Gaurav Sharma’s speculation,” she says.
“Gaurav may wish to reconsider his decision given he is unnecessarily costing the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of dollars to trigger a byelection he then intends to stand in. We consider it unnecessary and wasteful given the General Election is scheduled for 2023.”
Sharma says he will run as a candidate in the by-election and will launch a new “centrist party”.
“These are not easy decisions but given the numerous areas where government has failed us it is important that we hold our government (of any colour) accountable. I will publish more details about the new party in due course.”
The former Labour MP was kicked out of the party’s caucus in August after making unfounded claims of bulllying, accusing the Prime Minister of conducting a cover-up and the party of teaching politicians how to get around freedom of information laws.
Sharma hasn’t provided any evidence of being bullied or that there are widespread workplace culture issues. The MP has, however, released recordings and screenshots of private conversations he believes shows he has support within the caucus.
Labour’s denied his allegations, saying the situation has arisen from Dr Sharma taking issue with interventions from the Parliamentary Service and Whips to resolve staffing issues in his office.
More to come.
Maya Kensington
Cameron Steel
