My two cents on Tamihere

I've refrained from commenting on John Tamihere's extraordinary interview because I haven't been able to comprehend them. The only reason I can get

David Farrer has published who he says he has on good authority is the "Tamihere Ten".

His list is:

"The Tamihere Ten"

1. John Tamihere
2. Clayton Cosgrove
3. George Hawkins
4. Ross Robertson
5. Damien O’Connor
6. Mark Peck
7. Dover Samuels
8. Paul Swain
9. Janet Mackey
10. Harry Duynhoven

Other Possibilities …

Taito Phillip Field
Mahara Okeroa
Martin Gallagher
Nanaia Mahuta
Rick Barker
David Parker

Obviously on an optimistic day this list would also include Parekura Horomia, Moana Mackey and Phil Goff - although I would see Goff as more likely to lead a coup with JT (or Cosgrove)as his deputy.

I have on good authority knowledge of Phil Goff's coup of 1995 which ended in failure. It lost by one vote when a Goff supporter switched sides after being offered the posts of Finance Spokesman and Deputy Leader. (Those who know where I worked and who I worked with will know that this information is ironclad.)

The only reason I can see that Phil Goff hasn't mounted his challenge because he hasn't had the numbers since all the key 'Rogernomics' players have now retired (or joined ACT). Most of his supporters from 1995 have now retired.

Another likely supporter would be Leslie Soper (and maybe others below 35 on the list) who would also be likely to vote for him as a new leadership would mean the existing party list would be shredded and then would need to be redone from scratch.