Robertson calls for honest debate

Labour Party leadership candidate Grant Robertson says now is the time to have a frank and honest conversation about the future of the party.

The party's national council has set out its timeframe for the leadership contest sparked by David Cunliffe's resignation.

Nominations will close in just under a fortnight and the new leader will be in place by mid-November.

Mr Robertson and Mr Cunliffe and the only two who have publicly stated their intentions to stand so far.

His opponent, David Cunliffe is in hot water over an anonymous Twitter account set up by his wife, to attack political opponents.

Mr Cunliffe says he had had no knowledge of the account, but the New Zealand Herald reports he was accused of complicity in his wife's actions and faced renewed attacks ahead of the leadership race.

And Stuff.co.nz argues that “thanks to Karen Price, this one will be open warfare from the outset, and Cunliffe can no longer claim the moral high ground.”