Editorial: Labour team must be united

Andrew Little is the new leader of the Labour Party

As of Tuesday this week the Labour Party finally has its new leader.

For those supporters wishing to see the party rise from the depths following its poor performance at this year's general election two months ago, this moment probably couldn't come soon enough.

With the election of Andrew Little as new leader, Labour can now focus on its two key tasks - pulling its fractured self together, and taking on the National-led Government with a keen eye on the 2017 election.

Its lack of leadership over the past two months has been noticeable, most probably because acting leader David Parker was in the running for the top job, and couldn't be seen to be taking advantage of his position.

There's every indication Mr Little will prove a straightforward and steadfast leader.

He needs to exude strength and confidence, especially given the roundabout way he came by the leadership, with the slimmest of majorities after three rounds of preferential voting - a victory delivered by the system as much as by the unions.

What's done is done and now Labour, for its own sake, needs to move forward together and re-establish its support base.

Mr Little needs to start by removing any notion that the party is riven by factions, and can start with his rivals. There can be only one team.

Grant Robertson was a strong, probably the strongest, leadership candidate and should be talked, if need be, into taking the deputy role. Likewise fellow candidate Mr Parker, who says he does not want the finance portfolio, should be approached to change his mind. There should also be a key role for Nanaia Mahuta.

Whether three years is enough time for them to turn it around will come down to whether the Labour Party the public sees after all this messy business is one it wants in Government.