By Greg Hay and Elizabeth Puranam
Don Brash has openly targeted two ACT MPs in his bid to oust the party's leader, Rodney Hide.
Today 3 News gate-crashed a secret meeting today between Mr Brash, Sir Roger Douglas and one of those two swing MPs - Hillary Calvert.
The party is made up of just five MPs, who are all in parliament because Mr Hide won Epsom. However, in the savage world of politics, that doesn't buy you love or loyalty.
Mr Brash reckons Mr Hide has lost his appeal and has made it clear he wants his job.
"One of ACT's big problems right now is that most people don't think Rodney Hide has a dog's chance of holding on to Epsom, even with a nod and wink from the Prime Minister," Mr Brash told TV3's Campbell Live programme.
And while Prime Minister John Key has already said he would work with Mr Brash, perhaps he may reconsider after Mr Brash laid into National tonight.
And while they won't come out and say it, 3 News understands both Mr Douglas and Heather Roy want Mr Hide rolled and for Mr Brash to take the reigns.
"I think in the coming days, things will probably play out as they will," Ms Roy says. "I don't know how it will all end."
And neither does Mr Hide, although he can count on his deputy John Boscawen to stay at his side.
"I one hundred percent support Rodney Hide as leader and I'll be voting with the leader," Mr Boscawen told 3 News.
Mr Boscawen's allegiances of course make a stalemate - two votes for Mr Hide and two for Mr Brash. The only member left is Ms Calvert - and tonight she's not talking.
But if Mr Douglas and Mr Brash worked their charms on her in today's not-so-secret meeting, then it could be lights out for Mr Hide, his act might well be up.
3 News