Leaked minutes reveal National's concern about Brash's 'flip-flops'

Labour has repeatedly targeted Don Brash's alleged indecisiveness on policy positions and has stepped up the attacks in recent weeks.

National has been working on leader Don Brash's perceived "flip-flops" since last year in an attempt to reach its goal of 45 per cent of the party vote, leaked papers reveal.

Concerns about the way the important Epsom seat campaign was being run are also raised in the confidential minutes, written after the National board's December meeting, the last of the year.

Among other revelations:

* Key campaign messages have been reviewed by the Crosby/Textor Group, the Australian public relations and polling company which has helped the Australian Liberal Party and the Conservatives in Britain.

* The party's budgeted campaign income for 2004 was $850,000.

* Don Brash was advised to be cautious about direct involvement in fundraising.

* The board wanted to preview drafts of major speeches.

Labour has repeatedly targeted Dr Brash's alleged indecisiveness on policy positions and has stepped up the attacks in recent weeks, targeting National's stance on Iraq and nuclear issues.

Dr Brash has been forced to clarify his position on Iraq as recently as this week.

Yet the "political report" in the minutes notes that the National board was trying to fix the problem as early as December.

"The issue of perceived flip-flops has to be dealt with professionally and efficiently ... The portrayal of National and its leader as being indecisive has to be reversed and directed back at Labour with well-substantiated attacks."

The minutes show the party attempted to dispel the image with a key summer message, highlighting the fact that "National has 'cleared the decks' with needed policy changes."

Other key messages were also listed, with the comment that they would be "reviewed with Crosby/Textor Group" and then incorporated into the notes.

The minutes say "the process of achieving the 45% target involves adjustment of expectations, education in the MMP system and constant reminders about the priority of the party vote".

They also suggest the board was concerned that Epsom MP Richard Worth was being too aggressive in attempts to fend off Act interest in the seat.

National general manager Steven Joyce had observed improved polling in the seat but "emphasised the need to maintain a fine balance between passionately promoting the party brand and presenting a 'ready-for-partnership' party image for the benefit of the voting public".

Act leader Rodney Hide is contesting Epsom, but National has made it clear there will be no accommodation to help Act win the seat.

The party also considered changing the venue for Dr Brash's second Orewa speech, to reduce expectations, the minutes show.