His mother was the president of the Dunedin women's branch of the Labour Party and wrote articles for several socialist publications.

[1] Connelly took active roles in Labour Party organisation and stood for Parliament in St Albans in 1954 but was unsuccessful.

Former parliamentary colleague Michael Bassett said Connelly appreciated people being straight with him but he never bore grudges.

He did not believe in handouts, but in promoting export-led economic development, which would give ordinary people a fair go.

[4] Eventually their relationship improved after chief whip Henry May revealed to Kirk that Connelly had only nominated Nordmeyer because he had insisted he do so.

As a minister he exhorted greater consultation with trade unions, to avoid strikes and other industrial strife which he found distasteful.

[6] In opposition after the defeat of the Third Labour Government Connelly initially retained a frontbench seat and held a series of portfolios.

[7][8][9] When David Lange replaced Bill Rowling Connelly retained the Defence portfolio but was relegated to the backbenches and retired, reluctantly, at the 1984 election.

He advocated for retaining high quality land for farming, surrounding Christchurch with a Green Belt and the creation of a satellite town at Rolleston.

He also served on a host of community bodies, including the councils of both the University of Canterbury and the then Lincoln College.

Connelly remarked how he used to enjoy political discussions with National Party members over drinks, knowing that nothing said there would be used later in character assassination in the House.