Brash denies Act approaches

Former National Party leader Don Brash has dismissed any suggestion of joining the Act Party or becoming its leader.

Dr Brash, who was once referred to as the ninth Act MP when Act had eight MPs, was suggested this week as the potential leader of the party if it broke away from the National-led coalition and took a harder economic line to boost its support base to more than 5 per cent.

Dr Brash was a guest speaker at the party's recent annual conference, and his ideological views are thought to be a perfect fit for a party whose theme centred on being true to its principles of small government and free-market economics.

MPs Heather Roy and Sir Roger Douglas had both stressed the need for the party not to rely on Rodney Hide's victory in the Epsom electorate, but to attract voters to its principles.

But when asked if there had been any suggestions that he join or lead Act, Dr Brash said: "Not in the slightest."

Political commentator Mathew Hooten told Radio NZ's Nine to Noon programme this week that leaving the coalition would be the best approach for Act, which is polling about 2 per cent.

He said Act should have few problems gaining more than 5 per cent by being to the right of National.