Bill English's announcement to leave the National leadership as suddenly as he did has done the party few favours.
Most thought he would go, but most thought that would come much later in the year, if not the term.
The resignation two weeks ago caught contenders off guard – everyone except Steven Joyce.
And in many ways, this contest has been about the survival of Steven Joyce.
Joyce got notice of English's resignation at least a week ahead of the other contenders and that gave him a week the think about how he should run his bid.