Brash vows to fight next election

National leader Don Brash says he is determined to be the party's leader at the next election.

Before last year's election, 65-year-old Dr Brash said he expected to step down or be removed as leader if National did not win.

"After the election it became very clear that a clear majority of the caucus and members of the party outside the caucus were very keen that I stay on," he said today.

While National did not make it into government, it achieved 39 per cent of the vote -- its best election result since 1990.

"The party felt we didn't quite win but it was a very good result," he said.

Dr Brash said the leadership was not raised formally as an issue but because of his pre-election stance people approached him and encouraged him to stay. He was reaffirmed as leader in a vote after the election.

Dr Brash said: "I have committed to staying on and winning."

The next election is due in 2008.

- NZPA