KEY POINTS:
Bill English appears to be considering a challenge against Gerry Brownlee to become National's deputy leader.
Mr English yesterday would not rule out a tilt at the leader's job vacated by Don Brash, but he has little hope of getting the numbers to head off John Key in
Monday's caucus vote.
But he was canvassing colleagues yesterday, and may have indicated to them that he might consider standing as deputy.
A John Key/Bill English combination is being described as a "dream team", bringing together the leadership talents of Mr Key and Mr English's lengthy political experience.
It would have the support of many National MPs.
A complicating factor would be Mr English's desire to switch from his shadow education portfolio to finance.
It is thought he wants finance as a bottom line, and might have problems persuading colleagues he should be deputy as well.
Mr English refused to rule out anything yesterday, saying he had talked to 31 National MPs during the day and 23 of them had not been approached about the leadership.
A senior National MP told the Herald on Thursday that Mr Key had the support of as many as 42 of the party's 48 MPs, but Mr English dismissed this, saying his colleagues needed time to decide.
"They're taking it seriously - they're not going to open the newspaper and decide it's all over."
Mr English said he was "open to the idea" that an uncontested leadership may be in the best interests of his party.
But he intended to continue to talk to his colleagues and would make a decision "later" on whether to stand against Mr Key.
Mr Key yesterday kept a low profile, apparently telephoning National MPs to gather support.
Should he take the leadership on Monday as expected, the real battle will be for the deputy role.
Incumbent deputy Gerry Brownlee is thought to be keen to retain his position.
He is backing Mr Key for the leadership and it is widely believed Mr Key would be happy with Mr Brownlee as his deputy.
Yesterday, welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins said she had been asked by colleagues to put her name forward to be deputy leader.
She would decide whether to do so after talking to family and colleagues.
"It's not something I had been planning to do, but I'm going to consider it," Mrs Collins said.
National's law and order spokesman Simon Power also said yesterday he was interested in the job and was sounding out support among his caucus colleagues.
- Additional reporting NZPA