David Cunliffe says he will support Labour leader David Shearer in any immediate caucus vote - but he will not rule out challenging for the leadership in February.

Labour's David Shearer will summon his caucus for a confidence vote on his leadership to nip David Cunliffe's ambitions in the bud, and open the way to discipline him.

To liken Labour's capacity for damaging itself to that of lemmings might seem unkind to lemmings, writes John Armstrong.

Labour leader David Shearer has promised to take New Zealand “in a new direction” under his leadership, speaking at his party’s annual conference today.

Cunliffe now needs the backing of only 13 other MPs in the 34-strong Labour caucus to trigger the first party-wide leadership election, writes John Armstrong.

Labour MP David Cunliffe has left little doubt that he intends to overthrow David Shearer as Labour's leader.

Labour leader David Shearer’s position is on precarious ground and his rival David Cunliffe is refusing to endorse him.

Labour's leadership woes are the gift for National that keeps on giving, writes John Armstrong. "But it will only keep on giving for as long as National is careful not to disturb the unhappy equilibrium."

Political commentator Josie Pagani had a daunting entrance into politics.

David Shearer's vision is for a New Zealand known the world over for smart thinking and really smart businesses taking the world by storm, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Labour Party leader David Shearer is now assured of maximum public attention when he addresses the party's annual conference on Sunday.

The writing is on the wall for David Shearer. Or at least the writing is all over the blogosphere and pundit columns, says Dr Bryce Edwards.

This weekend's conference is Shearer's first as leader. He should be given that opportunity to prove his critics wrong, writes John Armstrong.

Labour leader David Shearer is brushing off a crescendo of calls for him to step down by left-leaning bloggers and commentators, saying it is "nonsense".

As Police Minister, Judith Collins made an ally of the metal crushers, took on the boy racers and won.

The promise to deal with alcopops has been reduced to a provision that will allow a future government to act on them at some unspecified time, writes Claire Trevett.

Labour says it has not taken a position on whether to back the United States proposal for a large reserve in the Antarctic's Ross Sea.

Appeals to patriotism seek to tap the most accommodating of instincts. They can also be the most dangerous of tools. That's why Labour's work restrictions won't work.