Possible change in the wind for Act deputy leader

Heather Roy. Photo / Mark Mitchell

MP Heather Roy is understood to be considering a challenge for the Act deputy leadership, despite the public upheavals of this week's successful leadership coup by Don Brash.

Mrs Roy used to be Consumer Affairs, Associate Defence and Associate Education Minister before she was rolled as deputy leader by John Boscawen last August. In the aftermath her dossier, leaked to media, revealed the extent to which her relationship with Rodney Hide had completely deteriorated.

The Act Party board will meet this morning in Auckland to process Dr Brash's membership application. The caucus will then hold a special meeting, unanimously electing Dr Brash as the party's new leader.

The board will then call a special meeting to ratify the caucus decision, which is also expected to be a unanimous vote.

Many issues remain up in the air: the ministerial posts held by Mr Hide and Mr Boscawen, the party's parliamentary leader, and a possible change in deputy leadership. While there has been no formal challenge for the deputy leadership, Mrs Roy is understood to be considering one.

Mr Boscawen said yesterday he would like to keep the job. Asked if he had the numbers - three out of five caucus votes - he said: "I don't know, to be honest. There are other people [in caucus] who have expressed an interest."

MP Hilary Calvert said she had not thought about the deputy leadership, and Sir Roger Douglas, who is retiring after the election, is understood to not be interested.

A spokesperson for Mr Hide said Mr Hide supported Mr Boscawen as deputy leader. Mrs Roy did not return calls.

Dr Brash said he was still discussing Mr Hide's future with him and would also talk to Prime Minister John Key about Mr Hide's ministerial posts.

"On balance we both agree it made more sense for [Mr Hide] to leave not later than the election. The issue is what his role is between now and the election."

Dr Brash said he told Mr Boscawen yesterday there were reasons both for and against leaving the party's ministerial posts as they are.

Mr Boscawen said he would accept whatever outcome was best for the party.

"Everything is up for grabs," Mr Boscawen said.

But he said he would like to keep his ministerial posts, and would also like to be the parliamentary leader.

Outstanding issues
* Parliamentary leader of the house.
* Rodney Hide's ministerial posts - Regulatory Reform, Local Government, Associate Education.
* John Boscawen's ministerial posts - Consumer Affairs, Associate Commerce.
* Deputy Leadership (currently John Boscawen).
* Who will stand in Epsom?