The Coalition faces a potentially huge electoral challenge. Now, with new leadership from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and National Party leader David Littleproud they need to tread these very thorny paths. The Coalition’s primary vote, per the most recent national polling, sits at a dismal 18 percent. They are now 4 points behind Labor, at 33 percent and 3 points behind One Nation, at 27 percent. Ley has already made a splash by visiting morning TV shows. We’re hopeful that she’s able to continue to build support and reassure skeptics in the party.
Against this backdrop of electoral crisis looms a chaotic rift between the federal Coalition and National parties. Things really heated up earlier this month when three National senators defied shadow cabinet rules to vote against their government’s suggested new crest for hate speech legislation. This latest incident has widened pre-existing rifts, making it all the more difficult for the Coalition to maintain their unity as they enter a critical period.
Internal Struggles and Divisions
Jane Hume, a leading Liberal senator, attacked the Coalition’s record so strenuously that she referred to the Coalition as being “hollowed out”. She sounded the alarm on her party’s decreasing electoral fortunes and threatened devastating losses if the GOP fails to make changes – and quickly.
“Unless something changes, we will be wiped out. I’ve been looking at the numbers. Just running a ruler over the pendulum and I don’t think that at this point there will be a single member of the House of Representatives from Victoria. There won’t be a single member of the House of Representatives from New South Wales. Something has to give.” – Liberal senator Jane Hume
Hume’s comments highlight the perilous state of play as the Coalition looks to figure out where to from here. The most recent election had two significant divides. Today, the call for complete unity among our ranks, and the most effective strategic action possible, has never been more pressing.
Agreement for Unity
To their credit Sussan Ley and David Littleproud acted and moved to address these challenges. They pledged to formalize an agreement to rebuild trust among the Coalition. This coalition agreement is designed to start setting the stage for a more coordinated, powerful coalition as they adapt to the changing political environment.
The leaders know that building a deeper sense of trust will be key for the Coalition’s sustainability in the long-term. As they prepare to formalize their commitments, both Ley and Littleproud hope to stabilize their ranks and present a more cohesive message to voters.
Looking Ahead
As Sussan Ley takes over the morning television limelight, she is apparently super-confident. For now, she wants to engage directly with voters and instill a new vision of hope for the Coalition. Yet, as polling numbers show her a harsh truth, the road going forward is still full of obstacles.
The Coalition’s internal shenanigans notwithstanding, the pressure from outside, particularly from the Greens, Teals and Labor into direct competition, will not make life easy for Ley and Littleproud. The next few weeks will be decisive as they work to find their footing, and re-earn the trust of constituents.
