April 07, 2013
Sharples frustrated at continued challenge
Māori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has indicated there may not be room in the party for Te Ururoa Flavell if he keeps up his leadership challenge.
Mr Flavell has been pushing for a change as a way to regenerate the party and position it for the future.
But Dr Sharples says he’s being urged by members and iwi leaders around the country to keep going.
He says the Waiariki MP has done a great job and he likes working with him, but there are limits.
“I don’t like the threat that he’ll walk out if he doesn’t get the leadership. I don’t think that’s helpful at all but on the other hand, deep down that’s the path. If people see our party as so broken up and no longer want to support us, then one of us have to bite the bullet to step down so we can reunite under one banner before the next election. That has to be the solution because it’s not helpful that this challenge is being carrying on unabated,” he says.
Pita Sharples says Te Ururoa Flavell’s challenge seems to be backed by many of the Māori Party’s executive.
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