OPINION: Simon Bridges has made a flying start in the race to be the next leader of the National Party.

The political reality is that Bill English is unlikely to last the full term unless the coalition Government falls apart.

We saw the first sign this week that he may bail out. He has been absent from the public eye, prompting the question "Where's Bill?", and the follow up: "Who is next in line?".

So, while we don't know the distance, a race is on, and Simon Bridges has put himself well in front.

He had an aggressive start to this Parliamentary term, turning the House upside down and showing Labour who is boss on the opening day.

The symbolism of the show of force he exerted by making the Government question its numbers while trying to do a procedural election of a Speaker is that he is ready to take them on.