Latest poll bad news for Labour

Labour leader Phil Goff. Photo / Natalie Slade

Most voters don't think Labour can win the next election whether or not Phil Goff stays as leader, an opinion poll has shown.

Tonight's TV3 survey followed Labour MP Chris Carter's attack on Mr Goff, when he said "Phil Goff is a very nice guy but he's just not going to win".

It asked voters whether Mr Carter was right, and 42 per cent said he was. A further 32 per cent said Labour can't win no matter who the leader is.

The poll showed 33 per cent of those identifying themselves as Labour supporters didn't think Mr Goff could win next year's election and 54 per cent of Green Party supporters had the same view.

Mr Goff said the poll showed Labour was the underdog.

He has said Mr Carter should resign his Te Atatu seat and force a by-election, and the poll asked voters about that as well.

It showed 64 per cent thought he should resign, 26 per cent believed he should stay and the rest didn't know.

Mr Carter is taking two months sick leave from Parliament.

He has been expelled from the Labour caucus and the party's council is expected to decide within the next few weeks whether to expel him from the party.

If it does, he will become an independent MP.

- NZPA