Momentum Party

The Momentum Party is an unregistered centrist New Zealand political party founded by Gaurav Sharma on 3 November 2022, following his expulsion from the Labour Party caucus.[1] It contested the 2022 Hamilton West by-election, receiving 8.03% of the vote and coming fourth.[2]

For other political organisations, see Momentum (organisation) and Momentum Movement.

Momentum Party
FounderGaurav Sharma
Founded3 November 2022 (2022-11-03)
Split fromLabour Party
IdeologyCentrism
Political positionCentre
Website
nzmomentum.co.nz

History

Founding
See also: Gaurav Sharma (politician) § Allegations of bullying within Parliament

On 11 August 2022, Labour Party MP Gaurav Sharma alleged in an opinion piece for the New Zealand Herald that there was widespread bullying within Parliament, including specific allegations aimed at party whips, leadership, and the Parliamentary Service.[3] In response, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero defended the organisation, saying that it "cannot direct MPs what to do and how to act".[4] Following the allegations, on 15 August 2022, Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Jacinda Ardern confirmed that the party caucus would hold a special meeting to discuss Sharma's actions. The party held a Zoom meeting for all its MPs except Sharma that evening.[5] The following day, Sharma discovered that the meeting had taken place and refused to attend the caucus meeting, as his fate was "pre-determined". In the caucus meeting, Sharma was suspended from the Labour Party caucus.[5] On 23 August 2022, Ardern confirmed that Sharma had been expelled from the caucus.[6]

On 18 October 2022, Gaurav Sharma announced he had resigned from Parliament and was going to contest the following by-election. He also announced his intention to start a new centrist party.[7] On 4 November 2022, Sharma revealed his new centrist party, the Momentum Party, and stated that most of his campaign team from Labour had joined him as well.[1]

Elections

2022 Hamilton West by-election
Main article: 2022 Hamilton West by-election

In the 2022 Hamilton West by-election, Sharma, running for the Momentum Party, received 8.03% of the vote, coming fourth.[2]

References
  1. "Gaurav Sharma claims raid of Labour manpower as new party revealed". NZ Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  2. "Hamilton West - Preliminary Count". Election Results. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  3. "Exclusive: Govt MP blows whistle on 'rampant' Parliament bullying, takes aim at officials, party whips". NZ Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. "MPs react after Labour's Gaurav Sharma alleges rampant bullying at Parliament". Newshub. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  5. "Labour bullying allegations: Dr Gaurav Sharma suspended from caucus, doesn't show up for meeting". Newshub. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. "Hamilton West MP Gaurav Sharma expelled from Labour caucus". RNZ. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  7. McConnell, Glenn (18 October 2022). "Gaurav Sharma says he has resigned as an MP, triggering by-election". Stuff. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
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