Some Hamiltonians wonder if they are “left in limbo” following the expulsion of the Hamilton West MP from the Labour caucus, others are admiring his courage to speak up.
Gaurav Sharma is left being an independent MP following a spectacular break up with the Labour Party that concluded with him accusing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of orchestrating a “cover up”.
For the last 11 days, Sharma has been laying out a raft of bullying accusations against Labour Party and demanding an independent investigation against those claims.
On Tuesday, 60 Labour MPs voted to expel Sharma, while one abstained and another opposed.
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Hamilton West MP Dr Guarav Sharma has been expelled from the Labour caucus after alleging widespread bullying at Parliament and by Labour Party leadership.
Labour whips said Sharma was able to vote before he was expelled, and the caucus voted unanimously to refer the matter to the Labour New Zealand Council, which could take further action.
Stuff asked people in the Hamilton city centre – in Sharma’s Hamilton West electorate – how they felt about the decision.
Jane Eyre understood why Sharma was expelled but wondered if it left the independent Hamilton West MP without any teeth.
“If someone’s in your party, and they turn against you… and he hasn’t stopped since he first made the allegations, so I understand how he can look like a traitor.
“I don’t really have an opinion yet whether he’s got a real good case or not because I don’t think we have got enough information. Possibly where there is smoke there is fire.”
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Jane Eyre, 58, wonders if Gaurav Sharma can help with issues now that he’s expelled from Labour caucus.
However, Eyre said, Sharma had burnt his bridges with the party.
“I wonder if this leaves the people of Hamilton West in a limbo and whether he’ll have any teeth.
“If we take any issues to him, will he be able to help out?
“I guess it remains to be seen as to how much stronger he can go on his own.”
Kelly Hodel/Stuff
Ashok Verma, 64, feels Labour Party is the biggest loser.
Ashok Verma suggested Labour was the biggest loser, having lost a seat and a new generation MP.
It could be a big setback to the party, Verma said.
“The seat will go back to National unless people like me come out in big support and Dr Sharma continues to serve as an independent party.”
For Luke Hanna-Batty, the decision was not surprising, but rather worrying.
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Luke Hanna-Batty, 24, is worried about the lack of independent investigation on Gaurav Sharma’s bullying claims.
“He was questioning Jacinda Ardern for an independent investigation, and they didn’t seem to go to far into it, which is what I am worried about.”
Dylan Fraser thought it was only fair Sharma got expelled as “he wasn’t essentially following party protocols”.
Kelly Hodel/Stuff
Dylan Fraser, 27, says decision to expel Gaurav Sharma was fair enough.
“If you don’t follow rules at work, you are potentially dismissed, and it is a similar thing.”
Rosalind Millar was shocked to learn the decision.
”He was brave enough to speak up, it’s been a surprise definitely.
Kelly Hodel/Stuff
Rosalind Millar, 65, feels Hamilton West MP has been courageous to speak against bullying.
“Hamilton West will still be represented in the parliament I guess, but just the fact that he has the courage to do this, and it needed to be said.
“He’s talked about the bullying which is always swept under the cover, which I just so disagree with.”
Jeff Fuller said the decision could work in Sharma’s favour as a “lot of people admire him for speaking out”.
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