Simon Bridges has denied that he is 'Mother Hubbard with a bare caucus cupboard'.

The denial comes after the latest resignation from his party, with Jonathan Coleman set to follow Steven Joyce and Bill English back into private life.

Bridges told Jamie Mackay that it is the end of an era but that it is a sign of new talent coming in.

"On our front bench, we have decades and decades and decades of senior Government experience still, as well as bringing through some of that fresh talent."

He says that they are much more experienced than the parties in Government.

Bridges also believes that the Government is making us an international laughing stock with its inaction over Russian diplomats.

More than 20 countries have expelled undeclared Russian intelligence officers, following the nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

The Prime Minister says we would do the same - but we don't have any here.

Bridges says we're becoming a real no-mates on this issue.

"We have become a laughing stock. I think people in NZ are laughing, but I'm getting a lot of contact from friends in political circles in the UK who want to know what the hell is going on, who are laughing at us."

He says that Winston Peter's quirky views is making us an outlier.

 

LISTEN TO SIMON BRIDGES TALK WITH JAMIE MACKAY ABOVE