Editorial: Chief Minister Michael Gunner has no choice but to step down as Labor leader in wake of Johnston by-election

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has no choice but to step down as Labor leader.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner with Joel Bowden celebrating the by-election win in the seat of Johnston

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has no choice but to step down as Labor leader.

Given the 21 per cent swing against Labor for its primary vote in Johnston, Mr Gunner has to walk away from the top job for the benefit of his party.

The voters have spoken loud and clear and they think the Gunner Labor Government is a basket case.

Joel Bowden won the by-election by the skin of his teeth over Territory Alliance’s Steven Klose.

Had Bowden lost the by-election, Mr Gunner would have most likely walked away last night.

But given the fact Labor still held on, it’s unlikely Mr Gunner will go quickly.

But in the cold hard light of day, Labor was brutally punished by voters in the by-election.

If the result was replicated in August, Labor would be decimated and Mr Gunner would also be in real danger of losing his own seat in Fannie Bay.

Whether voters have punished Labor specifically because of Mr Gunner’s leadership remains to be seen but it’s a common theme heard from Territorians.

They believe Mr Gunner is an ineffective leader who has failed miserably on big ticket items such as the economy and youth crime.

While Mr Gunner’s fate is sealed, the CLP is also in a world of pain given they could not beat the Greens on the primary vote count.

What happens in August is anyone’s guess but, given yesterday’s result, Labor is in real strife.