Phil Goff admits Labour may lose election

ONE NEWS: National believes comments from Cabinet Minister Phil Goff on the Labour leadership were deliberate.

In a television interview due to air on Tuesday night, Goff says if Helen Clark stands aside as leader after the election he would consider putting himself forward for the job.

He also raises the possibility that Labour might lose the election.

The issue has been a hot topic in parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

National Leader John Key says while he's surprised at Goff's actions, he can only conclude he was happy to have his comments in the public domain.

Key is questioning whether Clark can have confidence in Goff.

The National leader says Goff not only thinks it's time for a change, but is also telling people that the Prime Minister's leadership is toast.

But Clark herself pointed out National's recent leadership changes.

She says Key is the fifth leader of National that she has dealt with and there are more leadership issues within National.

Clark says the story is a beat-up.