Member of Parliament
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | List | Party |
| 1984–1987 | 41st | Sydenham | Labour | |
| 1987–1989 | 42nd | Sydenham | Labour | |
| 1989–1990 | Changed allegiance to: | NewLabour | ||
| 1990–1991 | 43rd | Sydenham | NewLabour | |
| 1991–1993 | Changed allegiance to: | Alliance | ||
| 1993–1996 | 44th | Sydenham | Alliance | |
| 1996–1999 | 45th | Wigram | 1 | Alliance |
| 1999–2002 | 46th | Wigram | 1 | Alliance |
| 2002–2005 | 47th | Wigram | 1 | Progressive |
| 2005–2008 | 48th | Wigram | 1 | Progressive |
| 2008–2011 | 49th | Wigram | 1 | Progressive |
In the 1984 general election, Anderton stood successfully as the Labour candidate for Sydenham in Christchurch, becoming a member of the Fourth Labour Government. He soon came into conflict with the party's leadership, and became one of the most outspoken critics of Minister of Finance Roger Douglas. Douglas and his allies, Richard Prebble and David Caygill, were determined to implement radical reforms of the country's economic system, known unofficially as "Rogernomics". This involved a monetarist approach to controlling inflation, the removal of tariffs and subsidies, and the privatisation of state assets, all of which were regarded by Anderton as a betrayal of the party's left-wing roots, and an abandonment of the party's election platform.
Anderton's severe criticism of Douglas and his reforms earned him the enmity of many within the party, including some of those who otherwise shared Anderton's frustration; his public comments were seen as damaging the party's public image.
Read more about this topic: Jim Anderton
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