March 03, 2014
McCarten not holding grudges
The new chief of staff for Labour leader David Cunliffe says he’s in the job to help low paid workers and people on struggle street.
In his last interview before immersing himself fully in what is considered a back room role, former Unite Union founder Matt McCarten told Radio Waatea host Willie Jackson, that the job came about through discussions with Mr Cunliffe about a campaign to get low paid workers to the polling booth in this year’s election.
He says it was the first time he had a private conversation with the Labour leader, and bonded over a common cause.
He doesn’t think his history as president of New Labour and the Alliance will affect the relationships he needs to build with Labour MPs and party members.
"I never hold a grudge and I never get upset about things. I think people make the causes they think is appropriate and I work with people with common cause and for the people I have spent the last 10 years working with, low paid workers, it’s best that there is a Labour-led Government and I intend to do my very best to do that and have David Cunliffe become the prime minister," he says.
Matt McCarten says he appreciates the backing he has got for his move from his union and the Mana Party leadership.
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