Don and Rod could swing it

Rodney Hide and Don Brash

Don Brash and Rodney Hide strolling down Remuera Rd together would be enough to swing the Epsom electorate Act's way, the party says.

The suggestion - bordering on a plea - that National show it is willing to work with Act was made in Act's newsletter, The Letter.

During the TVNZ leaders' debate on Monday night Dr Brash gave the impression National might consider helping Act at some point.

But Dr Brash yesterday said he had not meant to give that impression.

"I think it's clear that we have no plans at all to do a deal with any other party at all," he said.

Act is sitting on 2 per cent in the polls and facing political oblivion unless it reaches the 5 per cent threshold or secures an electorate seat.

The party is concentrating on the Epsom electorate, where its leader, Rodney Hide, is up against National's Richard Worth.

The Letter says tracking polls in Epsom show that 38 per cent of voters say they will vote for Mr Hide if it will give the centre right a winning coalition and said Dr Brash being seen in Mr Hide's company would be enough to convince people the two parties could work together.

Mr Hide said The Letter was making the point that for National to form the next government it would need a supporting partner.