Brash says errant MP 'not getting it'

National leader Don Brash has suggested outspoken MP Brian Connell should no longer be in the National Party.

Dr Brash said the "final straw" had come yesterday when Mr Connell had refused to travel to Auckland to discuss his comments and instead suggested he travel to Christchurch.

"I thought he really wasn't quite getting it," said Dr Brash.

He said he was confident that his MPs would throw Mr Connell out of caucus if he requested it, but he had not decided on that course of action.

Mr Connell, MP for Rakaia, had been invited to come to the caucus meeting on Tuesday and Dr Brash was sure Mr Connell's comments and his reaction was up for discussion.

Further discipline or expulsion from the party was a matter for the party's board.

"I have spoken to the president only and she is certainly very unhappy with Mr Connell, but as far as I know she hasn't had a full discussion with the board," Dr Brash said.

Mr Connell is the fourth MP Dr Brash has demoted since becoming leader two years ago.

He said Mr Connell's disciplining was necessary to ensure he had a unified team to take on Labour in the coming Parliament.

Mr Connell told the Ashburton Guardian after the latest developments: "I need time to reflect on this and I want to catch up with people from around the district. If you want me to go, tell me so, but going is not where my headspace is.

"If I lose support at home, they win, but if I have the support at home, they won't beat me."

Mr Connell was last night stripped of his portfolio responsibilities and caucus ranking, with Dr Brash warning further action could be taken.

Dr Brash took exception to Mr Connell's comments in his local newspaper.

Mr Connell had complained about his ranking and what he considered to be lowly portfolio allocations, but it was his comments about his attitude to the party that led to last night's serious consequences.

"Attacking the party and saying the National Party membership is not relevant to the conduct of his duties and the way he forms his views suggests he shouldn't be standing for the National Party," Dr Brash told National Radio.

Mr Connell's low ranking in the reshuffle was a reflection of his performance, he said.

Mr Connell said then there was never any question of his commitment to the party.

There is nothing National can do to stop Mr Connell being sworn in as MP for Rakaia at the opening of Parliament on Monday.

Mr Connell retained Rakaia with a majority of more than 10,000, and in a worst-case scenario for National he could resign the seat and fight a by-election with a good chance of winning it.

It has been one of National's safest seats, previously held by former prime minister Jenny Shipley.

If he was thrown out of the party, he would remain as an independent MP as the party hopping legislation ceased at the last election.

Until he was stripped of his responsibilities, Mr Connell was National's spokesman on forestry, commerce, consumer affairs and statistics.

- NZPA