The thing is, with Lianne stepping aside, and Brendon not wanting to stand again in Christchurch Central, what alternative does Labour really have. Short-term, to get Clayton Cosgrove off the party list and into a seat, would then free up a list seat for Kelvin Davis up in the Far North. If ever there was a blunder, it was leaving an articulate man like him so far down the list. But such a move would be unpopular with the majority of the voters. Given the closeness to the Mayoral elections, it could also backfire on Lianne.
What this highlights, when Helen was leader, no real thought or planning went into a succession. Sadly, the longer David Shearer leads, the more inept he appears to be.