Hide hoping to make comeback

Ousted ACT leader Rodney Hide appears to be hoping to make a political comeback.

Former National Party leader Don Brash, 70, rolled Mr Hide for ACT's top job last week after publicly describing Mr Hide's brand as toxic and saying the party faced oblivion with him at the helm.

Dr Brash had wanted to strip Mr Hide of his ministerial roles, but yesterday backed down, saying the former leader would keep his local government, regulatory responsibility and associate education portfolios until the election when he would resign from Parliament.

However, fronting to media today, Mr Hide said he was not ruling out a future in Parliament after the November election.

"I'm not closing any doors. I'm an ACT man through and through, and what I'm concentrating on is getting a smooth transition, getting Dr Brash established as leader, and then focusing on my portfolios and being the MP for Epsom," Mr Hide said.

"Right now Don Brash says he doesn't have any confidence in me to continue, and I have to accept that. But what I'll do is work really hard to support Don to hopefully establish that confidence."

Dr Brash last week, while still a National Party member, announced his ambition to become the ACT leader, and proposed installing former Auckland Mayor John Banks in Mr Hide's Epsom seat.

Mr Hide said he did not feel aggrieved by how he had been treated by Dr Brash, but described the takeover as "unorthodox".

He said the situation was not as hard to swallow.

"It's a funny thing, because you'd think it would be, but I just accept the situation then worked to make the best result."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key has defended his decision to keep Mr Hide in his cabinet.

Labour leader Phil Goff questioned Mr Key on the issue in Parliament today, asking "why does he regard a man described by ACT Party leader, Don Brash, as 'toxic' and 'tarnished' as a man suitable to be in his ministry?"

"Is it appropriate for decisions on who serves in the ministry that he heads to be made by a man who is not even in Parliament?" Mr Goff asked.

In reply Mr Key said Mr Hide had done an "outstanding job" of managing local government, and he had confidence in him as a minister.

"If somebody is going to serve in the ministry, then they have to enjoy my confidence, but one of the evolving tests and conventions that we now have for our supply partners is that we also take guidance from them about whom they want," Mr Key said.

Later in Parliament, Labour continued to make digs at ACT's woes, with Clayton Cosgrove saying Mr Hide's decision to stay as reminiscent of the zombies in the film Dawn of the Dead.

"These are entities, I'm told Sir, that eat each other and even eat the living dead -- as Mr Hide, I think will be come to be known in this place," he said.

"Someone left the crypt door open a crack, for that energetic, youthful, dynamic team full of enthusiasm of Sir Roger Douglas, John Banks, John Boscawen and Dr Don Brash."

Along with Dr Brash, Sir Roger and Mr Banks have both had previous parliamentary careers. Sir Roger is aged 74, Mr Banks is 65.