Another nail in the Brash coffin

Don Brash

National leader Don Brash scored more than double Labour leader Helen Clark's rating when chief executives were asked. 'Who would make the best Prime Minister?' at last year's election.

Less than 12 months later, Brash's poor rating as an effective political leader by CEOs must raise questions over whether he will achieve the necessary political skills to head off the formidable Clark.

It's not just the fact that Clark outweighs him when it comes to scoring in the "excellent" category. The real issue is that 53 per cent of CEOs have put him in the "indifferent" slot.

"National's momentum from the last election has dissipated with their diversion into personal attacks on Labour cabinet members. It has backfired and strengthened Labour's coalition partnership," observed a leading motoring sector CEO.

Some were cutting: "All including Clark are a bunch of wasters. Brash has the ideas but no nous."