Future leadership bid not on the cards for Tauranga MP Simon Bridges

Tauranga MP Simon Bridges says he learned a lot from his bid for the role of deputy prime minister. PHOTO/JOHN BORREN

Since Simon Bridges withdrew his bid to become deputy prime minister, he's been able to relax and enjoy himself.

It was Saturday morning, at the Britomart transport hub in Auckland, when the Tauranga MP announced that he would pull out.

He had already phoned social housing minister Paula Bennett to tell her that she would be New Zealand's next deputy prime minister. Now he was telling journalists that he had had the support of a third of his colleagues, "but I didn't have half, and I can count".

Although he had missed out on the deputy position, the positive side of his withdrawal became apparent later in the day. That evening, he was able to enjoy the Auckland wedding of his sister, Rachael Trimble, to fellow MP Simon O'Connor.

"If I was still in the contest I would have been all night on the phone," Mr Bridges said yesterday, while being driven back to Tauranga.

"It means personally that I've had a great weekend instead of vigorously cajoling people into voting for me."

Also at the wedding was Prime Minister John Key, and the two men had a few chats.

"He's in an interesting position in that he's in his last two days as PM," Mr Bridges said. "So he was very relaxed."

The past week had, by Mr Bridges' own description, been "momentous".

On Wednesday, he had to make public his bid for the deputy spot along with Ms Bennett, and the next few days must have been a whirlwind of discussions, lobbying and scrutiny.

Mr Bridges said that he had learned a lot from the experience but, in hindsight, had he done the right thing?

"I don't regret it for a second," he said. "You've got to be in to win."

Would he make another attempt at one of the top jobs?

"In terms of the one and two spots, no," he said. "It was this particular opportunity this week. It was too good of an opportunity not to have a crack."

But, aren't you only 40?

"Life's a long time, so you can never rule things out, but it's not on the cards for me. I don't have a specific ambition in future to be leader or deputy. Bill English has confirmed that I will be part of the leadership team, and I'm excited about that."

Mr Bridges was due to fly to Wellington this morningfor meetings that will formalise the government's two top jobs. Current Deputy Prime Minister Bill English is expected to become prime minister while Ms Bennett takes the deputy spot.

Mr Bridges did not expect to see big differences in the way the country would be run, as the current style has been successful.

After Mr Bridges' withdrawal, Mr English described him as "a constructive and energetic" candidate for the deputy leadership.

"He is an outstanding politician and I look forward to working with him in the leadership team."