Key Takeaways
- Liberal leadership aspirant Andrew Hastie has rejected a suggestion from Angus Taylor to run as his deputy in a united conservative ticket to topple Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
- Hastie has clear majority support in the right faction, but Taylor is winning more support among moderates.
- Ley is severely weakened after the historic Coalition rupture, but her allies believe she may remain in the job in a weakened state for a while longer.
- The Coalition split is being used by Ley’s critics to call for a spill, but Ley’s allies believe the rebels have misjudged the galvanising effect of Nationals leader David Littleproud’s actions.
- Ley is not planning to reshuffle her shadow ministry to put Liberals in the positions vacated by Nationals until Littleproud announces his unofficial "shadow, shadow cabinet".
Introduction to the Leadership Crisis
The Liberal Party is currently facing a leadership crisis, with Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s position being challenged by two aspirants, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor. In a recent phone conversation, Taylor suggested that Hastie run as his deputy in a united conservative ticket to topple Ley. However, Hastie rejected this suggestion, making it clear that he is being encouraged to run by a group of right-wing MPs and will only be dissuaded from doing so if colleagues actively talk him out of it.
The Phone Conversation Between Hastie and Taylor
According to sources familiar with the discussion, Taylor claimed that Hastie could eventually take over as leader if he served for a period as Taylor’s deputy, without being clear about timing. However, Hastie declined to comment about the call when asked, while Taylor and his office were contacted for comment, with one source close to Taylor downplaying the discussion on a deputy role. This conversation highlights the complexity of the leadership crisis, with both Hastie and Taylor attempting to navigate the situation to their advantage.
The Support for Hastie and Taylor
Hastie’s backers believe he has clear majority support in the right faction, but Taylor is winning more support among moderates who, if forced to choose, would choose him over the more hardline candidate in Hastie. This division within the party makes it difficult for either candidate to gain a clear majority, and the situation is further complicated by the fact that many moderates, unaligned centrists, and even some right-wingers believe Ley made the right moves in taking on the Nationals last week.
Ley’s Strategy
Ley has spent the past 48 hours speaking to colleagues, expressing calm and confidence about the leadership situation, which she believes is being overhyped by troublemakers. She has also been speaking to former prime minister John Howard multiple times a day, seeking his advice on the crisis with the Nationals. Ley is not planning to reshuffle her shadow ministry to put Liberals in the positions vacated by Nationals until Littleproud announces his unofficial "shadow, shadow cabinet" some time next week. This delay is underpinned by an intent to keep alive the chance of a reconciliation, as some Nationals continue to discreetly talk to Liberals about an unlikely reunification.
The Coalition Split
The Coalition split is being used by Ley’s critics to call for a spill, but Ley’s allies believe the rebels have misjudged the galvanising effect of Littleproud’s actions. The Nationals who want to keep the Coalition alive are unwilling to topple Littleproud, which would be the condition of reunifying for many aggrieved Liberals. This situation highlights the deep divisions within the party and the challenges faced by Ley in attempting to navigate the crisis and maintain her position as leader.
Conclusion
The Liberal Party’s leadership crisis is complex and multifaceted, with several factors at play. Hastie and Taylor are both attempting to navigate the situation to their advantage, while Ley is working to maintain her position and keep the party united. The Coalition split has added an extra layer of complexity to the situation, and it remains to be seen how the party will move forward. One thing is certain, however: the outcome of this crisis will have significant implications for the future of the Liberal Party and Australian politics as a whole.