David Seymour: 'I couldn't do a lot more than I am doing now'

Act Party leader David Seymour was offered the positions of Minister for Regulatory Reform and Associate Minister of Education but turned them down. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Being offered ministerial positions at the age of 32 was a huge honour, Act leader David Seymour says - but one he has nonetheless decided to turn down.

"I have got to get Act's vote up by the next election. At the moment lots of people are saying nice things...but there is only one number that counts," Mr Seymour said of his decision.

"It is a huge honour at 32, in your first year of Parliament to be offered a ministerial post...but I couldn't do a lot more than I am doing now if I was made a minister. Being an under-secretary is quite a useful position. Well, at least that is my judgment."

Prime Minister John Key said he was surprised by Mr Seymour's decision to turn down the positions of Minister for Regulatory Reform and Associate Minister of Education, but could understand the thinking behind it.

Mr Seymour is currently Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Ministers of Education and of Regulatory Reform.

He told the Heraldthat, as well as rebuilding his party's support, he wanted to ensure his member's bill on End of Life Choice could progress, as "assisted dying is the kind of issue that brought me into politics".

If he became a minister the voluntary euthanasia bill would have to be scrapped, and he was not confident any other MPs would put forward similar legislation.

Mr Seymour's bill has not been drawn yet. The ballot could be cruel, he said, but it would be unlucky for the bill not to come up over the coming year.

The ministerial offer was put to Mr Seymour on Sunday morning, but he said it had been well-signalled for several months.

He consulted widely on what he should do, including with Act's board, his Epsom electorate committee, key staff and supporters, and friends.

"I am sort of getting pulled in four or five different directions, and on balance I think staying where I am is the right place to be."