Jack Marshall
Leader of the Opposition
### Leader of the Opposition

Marshall became [Leader of the Opposition](/wiki/Leader_of_the_Opposition_%28New_Zealand%29 "Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)") in 1972\. He made the choice to not separate the shadow cabinet from the rest of the caucus to encourage party unity. He made minimal changes to his portfolio allocations from February 1972 to highlight National's experience and stability, contrasting from the comparative inexperience of the new Labour Government.

On 4 July 1974, Marshall was informed that [a leadership challenge](/wiki/1974_New_Zealand_National_Party_leadership_election "1974 New Zealand National Party leadership election") was imminent. Aware that much of his support had drained away, Marshall resigned, and Muldoon became party leader. Marshall's decline was primarily the result of his inability to damage the highly popular Kirk; Marshall's quiet, understated style did not fit well with the aggressive tactics required of an opposition party seeking to return to government. Ironically, Kirk died later that same year and his replacement, [Bill Rowling](/wiki/Bill_Rowling "Bill Rowling"), was perceived as a quiet and non\-confrontational leader, just as Marshall had been.

After relinquishing the leadership Marshall remained on the front bench as Shadow Minister of Overseas Trade. He decided to retire from parliament at the .


How did Muldoon's rise to party leader affect the Labour Government?