By Laura Frykberg
A political commentator says the Government should be worried now Don Brash is set to become the new ACT leader.
Chris Trotter says the Brash takeover shows the political power of the former National leader, who doesn't believe in Maori representation in parliament.
"Don Brash is no friend of the Maori Party, he's no friend of the Maori seats," Mr Trotter says. "I would not be surprised if one of the prices he extracts from National is that it promises its own election promise to abolish the Maori seats.
Yesterday 3 News gate-crashed a meeting between Mr Brash and ACT caucus members, where he convinced list MP Hilary Calvert to support his leadership bid.
Mr Brash officially became an ACT member today and is expected to become leader on Saturday.
"It was a strong challenge and I felt my responsibilities were to the party to ensure a good process," says former ACT leader, Rodney Hide. "Also I had a significant responsibility to the Prime Minister."
Mr Hide has had 15 years in parliament, but his hypocrisy over MP travel expenses damaged his reputation.
And while political commentators say Mr Brash's takeover proves perceptions are often wrong, the real test is whether the coup pays off in the next election where it's believed Mr Brash will stand former John Banks in Mr Hide's Epsom electorate.
3 News