A former National Party press secretary says she doesn't expect Judith Collins to go anywhere soon, despite losing the job of leader of the party.
National MPs will elect the party's fifth leader in four years next Tuesday, after a vote of no confidence went against Judith Collins on Thursday.
The implosion comes after a late Wednesday night press release from Collins, where she accused MP and former leader Simon Bridges of " serious misconduct" at a party event in Premier House five years ago.
Bridges said this was "truly desperate stuff" from Collins who would go to any length to hold on to her leadership.
She was forced to step down after her caucus issued a motion of no confidence in her.
Janet Wilson became the National Party leader's chief press secretary after Todd Muller rolled Simon Bridges in 2020 and stayed on when Collins took over. She left shortly after the election She has seen all the changes in the party over the last 18 months and has been highly critical of Collins' leadership.
Despite that she told Morning Report Collins did well at the start of her tenure as leader to guide MPs through the election period.
It was after that when things went bad. Wilson said Collins admitted the party needed renewal but did not provide it.
She does not expect many changes from Collins post demotion either.
"What she'll do is she'll lay low for a while, but the planning and scheming and lack of judgment that is sort of part of her, her leadership, will come to the fore again.
"She's always been a bit player within that caucus, and she's always been a schemer, so to speak. I would expect her to be a malignant force on the back bench eventually.
"I don't think she's going anywhere fast."
