11 Apr 2017

'Yes I really am going' - Ka kite Cunliffe

From The House , 7:30 pm on 11 April 2017

Former Labour leader David Cunliffe has farewelled Parliament with a speech on the privilege of service.

 

Departing Labour MP and former Labour leader David Cunliffe is applauded by his colleagues after giving his valedictory speech.

Departing Labour MP and former Labour leader David Cunliffe is applauded by his colleagues after giving his valedictory speech. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

 

The son of an Anglican minister Mr Cunliffe entered Parliament in 1999 as the MP for Titirangi which became the New Lynn electorate at the 2002 election.

 

He served as a cabinet minister in 2003 under then Prime Minister Helen Clark and was elected leader of the Labour Party in 2013.

 

Mr Cunliffe led Labour at the 2014 election but resigned from that position following the Party’s defeat.

 

In his speech to the House he said giving a valedictory speech is like “being buried alive”.

 

“It is intended to be permanent. It is usually followed by a wake and you get to witness the eulogies,” he said.

 

Former Labour leader and departing MP David Cunliffe says being an MP is ultimately a role of service.

Former Labour leader and departing MP David Cunliffe says being an MP is ultimately a role of service. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith

 

 

Thanks were given to his colleagues and his family with a message of what it is to be an MP.

 

“This is ultimately a service job and that is what for me at least has made it such a privilege to be a part of,” said Mr Cunliffe.