Brash to make bid for Act leadership
The leadership of the Act Party may be called into question at its board meeting next weekend, with former National Party leader Don Brash set to make a bid for the top job.
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The leadership of the Act Party may be called into question at its board meeting next weekend, with former National Party leader Don Brash set to make a bid for the top job.
Dr Brash confirmed over the Easter break that he had rejected the idea of becoming a party co-leader, and said the only way he would be joining was as leader.
"It seemed to me the Act Party was one vehicle through which I could work," he told TVNZ.
"It was suggested to me that I could become co-leader of the Act Party, and, on balance, I decided that in fact that would not help lift the Act Party vote in the way that I think it needs to be lifted."
Dr Brash said Rodney Hide, the party's current leader, had been a friend for more than 15 years.
"But it appears that, under Rodney Hide's leadership, Act is polling around the margin of error. That's a ridiculous situation."
Dr Brash said he would be looking at joining the party this week, and would ideally go to the weekend meeting with some form of submission for what he could do for the party.
"Clearly that is what I'd like to do, but I have not yet discussed that with the party president."
What electorate he might stand in, and whether he would be aiming for a Cabinet seat after the election, were not issues he expected to deal with any time soon, Dr Brash said.
"That's all down the track. The first question is 'can I make a contribution to policy in this country through the ACT Party?' And that's to be determined. I don't know the answer to that question yet."
When asked about rumours former Auckland Mayor John Banks was working with him to take over the party, Dr Brash would not say what the other man's plans for the election were.
However, he said he knew Mr Banks well and would absolutely work with him.
NZPA
Tue, 26 Apr 2011
Tue, 26 Apr 2011
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Brash to make bid for Act leadership
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