Basil Zempilas, current Perth Lord Mayor, has announced his intention to nominate for the leadership of the Western Australia Liberal Party. This development comes amidst ongoing speculations about his political ambitions, which have been brewing for over a year. Zempilas, elected as the member for the inner Perth seat of Churchlands on a narrow margin, made the announcement on Thursday. His decision follows an eventful period marked by leadership speculation and polling controversies.
Zempilas, who transitioned from a successful television career at Seven to becoming Perth Lord Mayor in 2020, has consistently maintained that he was not involved in leaked polling that suggested the Liberal party's prospects would improve under his leadership. These polls were conducted by Cam Sinclair, Zempilas' former mayoral campaign leader, on behalf of a "mystery businessman."
Speculation and Controversy
The speculation around Zempilas' potential leadership run has been persistent. In November, polling results leaked to Seven West Media indicated that the Liberal party's chances at the next election could be bolstered with Zempilas at the helm. This information was initially shared with Libby Mettam, the current party leader, by a federal Liberal candidate who hoped she would step aside based on the polling findings. However, Mettam remained steadfast, leading to the information being leaked to the media.
Mettam, addressing the situation, remarked:
"While I take responsibility for our result it is very clear that the constant and ongoing leadership speculation and destabilisation in late 2024 was a significant contributing factor to our outcome."
A New Leadership Bid
Despite the controversy surrounding the polling, Zempilas never ruled out the possibility of seeking leadership. During a recent statement, he expressed his commitment to supporting whoever is elected as leader through to the 2029 election. Zempilas made it clear that he plans to formally nominate for the party leadership at an upcoming party room meeting next week.
Basil Zempilas' political journey has been closely watched since his election as Perth Lord Mayor three years ago. His move into state politics has been seen by some as a natural progression for someone with his public profile and political aspirations.
Looking Ahead
As Zempilas prepares for the party room meeting, the Western Australia Liberal Party faces a pivotal moment. The leadership race highlights ongoing internal challenges as the party seeks to strengthen its position. Zempilas' candidacy is expected to influence the course of the party's future direction significantly.
His bid for leadership underscores a broader theme within the party — balancing continuity with change and addressing internal dynamics that have affected its recent performance. As Zempilas steps forward, all eyes will be on the upcoming meeting and its implications for both him and the party.
