KEY POINTS:
Sir Roger Douglas and the Act Party have kissed and made up after years of criticism by the party's founder about the direction the party was taking.
After a plea from leader Rodney Hide, Sir Roger will take a more active role in Act leading up to the
election, including as a speaker at next month's party conference.
Sir Roger resigned as Act's patron after Mr Hide took over as leader from Richard Prebble in 2004 and has consistently criticised its direction. He said his change of heart was partly prompted by National's high polling.
"I believe Act could have a real role to play next year. I just feel it has an enormous role to play in any centre-right Government."
Mr Hide said he asked Sir Roger to help with ideas and support in the build-up to the election "and he's very kindly agreed to do that. I think he sees the importance in doing well. Having Sir Roger on board is huge".
Mr Hide said he had asked Sir Roger to help in any way possible, including possibly running for Parliament again.
But Sir Roger ruled that out, saying any list placing "would have to be low". "I'm not looking at coming back, no. I'm happy to join Act and work with Rodney. I'm not looking for a big leadership role, but I think I can help in a number of ways."
National's move to the centre under John Key had opened up more opportunities for Act to win votes.
When Sir Roger resigned as patron he said the party should not be "a front office of the Serious Fraud Office".
Since then he has continued to criticise Mr Hide for focusing on scandals rather than core policy.
Mr Hide acknowledged the end of his days as a perk-buster since late 2006 may have improved Sir Roger's view of him. "I think he's seen me concentrating on serious issues rather than the sideshow antics of politics, and I think he appreciates that."
Asked if Mr Hide's change in style had helped soften his views, Sir Roger said he was happy to work with him.
Sir Roger's return to the fold is also likely to help the party's fundraising efforts as it fights to hold Mr Hide's Epsom seat and raise its party vote.
Act's direction under Mr Hide prompted former board member Andrew Fulford to resign in 2006, claiming the party was too libertarian.
