Hide Resigns ACT Leadership
Rodney Hide has announced his plans to stand down as Act Party leader at a joint press conference with Don Brash.
Hide said he supported Brash's leadership.
Brash said he had been asked by the Act caucus to become leader, subject to confirmation of his membership of the party. This follows his announcement last week of plans to contest the leadership from outside Parliament. It has become clear that Brash has the numbers to succeed is a leadership vote were contested.
Hide is expected to stay on as an MP and does not plan to resign from any of his ministerial portfolios. Brash indicated support for former National MP and Auckland Major John Banks to run for Act in Hide's current seat of Epsom.
Act's support agreement with the current government will remain in place.