Key digging into Brash's polling lead

Don Brash

National supporters think Don Brash is the best MP to be leading the party, but John Key is snapping at his heels, a TVNZ poll finds.

Questions about the National leadership were included in polling done by TVNZ between July 10 and 13, but held back until last night when the party's annual conference opened in Christchurch.

The results are bound to be a talking point at the event.

They will not be comforting for Dr Brash, who has constantly fended off questions about the leadership by claiming there is no mood for a change within the party.

Of the 480 National supporters questioned in the poll, 37 per cent backed Dr Brash when asked who was the best MP to be leading the party.

But 23 per cent opted for Mr Key, 5 per cent for former leader Bill English, 1 per cent for Gerry Brownlee and 3 per cent "others".

Nearly a third of National supporters - 31 per cent - said they didn't know.

Also of concern for Dr Brash as National tries to broaden its voting base is that the gap between him and Mr Key narrowed when the question was put to all 1196 people surveyed, regardless of their political affiliation.

In that group, Dr Brash had 23 per cent and Mr Key 16 per cent support. Mr English's support rose to 7 per cent.

Voters were also asked to nominate which National MP they would most trust to lead the country in providing strong social services such as health and education, managing the economy, being in touch with the average New Zealander and representing the country internationally.

Among National voters, Dr Brash led Mr Key by between 11 and 23 per cent in three of the question areas, but was only one point ahead of him - 30 per cent to 29 per cent - on the "in touch with the average New Zealander" question.

The pair scored 22 per cent each when that question was answered by all people polled. Among National voters Mr English picked up 8 per cent support for that question.

Overall, the former leader was some distance behind Mr Key, but a clear third in all questions.

He rated most highly on the provision of social services question, where 11 per cent of National voters backed him.

A spokesman for Dr Brash said he would not be commenting on the polls.

Mr Key said the poll showed "overwhelming support for Don Brash".

Mr Brownlee, whose best result was 2 per cent, laughed off the poll and suggested he might have to "do an appearance on Dancing with the Stars or that fat-busting show ... "