Conflict of Visions

The first steps towards structural reorganisation were taken on December 16, 1972, at a moderately well attended (200 people) Wellington Regional Conference held at Victoria University. The Conference set up action groups selected spokesmen or spokeswomen who were invited by Brunt (who, although assuming the mantle of leadership, had only ever been elected to the position of co-ordinator) to form a new executive. One of those elected was the spokeswoman on education. Judy Allum, who said the Party should adopt the function of a social action group as its approach rather than a political party organising for electoral purposes. Her vision conflicted with Brunt's and she conflicted with him at a number of subsequent executive meetings. According to one course, Brunt sensing a challenge, talked of having Allum removed from the executive. But at that stage the executive contained a number of people who made up their own minds and Brunt's suggestions were not taken up. He wasn't sufficiently in control to do all that he wanted.