Backers of Rowling (notably Jim Anderton, Helen Clark and Fran Wilde) supported him out of their shared faith in Labour's traditional Keynesian policies which others opposed.

Lange's main support were from MPs who saw Rowling as merely an impediment to their own ambitions to implement newer economic policy along globalized free market lines.

He used the unusually high media attention from this to propel him to the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party in 1979, beating Bob Tizard.

[2] Lange narrowly missed ousting Rowling in 1980, with him and his group of free market economic supporters (Roger Douglas, Michael Bassett, Richard Prebble and Mike Moore) becoming known as the "Fish and Chip Brigade" due to a picture published at the time with the group eating Fish and chips in Douglas' office after the vote.

[6] By this time Lange had become recognised by many to be more than a match for the tiring Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, with his superb wit and debating skill.

[8] Former Deputy Prime Minister Bob Tizard (who had coveted the leadership for years) also declared his intention to stand once Rowling announced his retirement.

It was much closer with the more moderate Geoffrey Palmer (who was Lange's preferred candidate) winning by one vote, 22 to 21 over the more free market friendly Mike Moore in the second ballot.

[12] After gauging caucus feelings on the portfolio allocation, Lange then announced the rankings at the beginning of April when the parliamentary session began for the year.