After the resignation of disgraced leader KatieIsSomethingSad, former National Party leader Dyljam, and socialist rebel Stalin1953, Labour has struggled to fill these three vacancies.

Initially Labour attempted to fill the first two vacancies with SpyroSpeedruns and HazardArrow. SpyroSpeedruns was also promoted straight to Cabinet, but lost his seat after failing to swear in after a week. HazardArrow lasted around a week in the role, before quitting in protest of the Labour leadership’s dictatorial and secretive leadership style.

Labour’s struggle to fill just three seats after a number of high profile resignations shows a party in crisis. The party has fallen apart after entering government with the National Party. Attempts to quell unhappiness by appointing retiring MP Laichar (who they had VONCed as leader not long ago) to the Deputy Leadership have evidently failed. Despite being the sole vote against leaving the Green government, suggesting he would join the Greens over the decision, and privately celebrating the death of Labour and National, Laichar has only toed the party line since returning to the leadership.

Even the appointment of a retiring MP to the Deputy Leadership raises questions about the remaining talent in the Labour Party. Labour looks to have a big challenge on it’s hand to re-invent itself and win back candidates and voters for the next election, especially in the face of hard Green opposition.

• Independent journalist for The Spinoff, Isafox.