The Liberal Party faced a significant setback in the 2025 Western Australia state election, suffering a substantial loss of seats and failing to reclaim critical areas. This marks the third consecutive election defeat for the party, leading to increased pressure on its leader, Libby Mettam, to step down. Despite reclaiming traditional strongholds such as Nedlands, Churchlands, and Carine, the party failed to capture must-win seats like South Perth, Bateman, and Scarborough. The situation has left the party's leadership in doubt, with Mettam leaving her future up to the parliamentary party.
Shane Love, who led the party in the last parliament, emphasized the need for a closer alliance between the Nationals and Liberals to counter Labor's dominance. Meanwhile, the newly elected Churchlands MP Basil Zempilas alleged that Labor orchestrated a smear campaign against him—a claim promptly dismissed by Premier Roger Cook.
Leadership Pressure and Uncertain Future
Libby Mettam is under intense scrutiny following the dismal election results. The leader acknowledged that leadership speculation surrounding Basil Zempilas contributed to destabilizing the party. Mettam expressed the necessity for steady leadership moving forward.
"Whoever the leader is going into the 2029 election they need four years to work as a leader, to build momentum in the community and to have the support of the Liberal Party going forward as well," Mettam stated.
With the parliamentary party set to decide her fate, the uncertainty surrounding Mettam's leadership adds to the party's challenges. Shane Love reiterated his call for a unified front between the Nationals and Liberals, emphasizing the significance of collaboration to mount an effective opposition against Labor's stronghold.
"We need a more united front if we are going to beat Labor," Love commented.
Despite these efforts, Love expressed frustration over recent setbacks.
"We've been rebuffed on a number of occasions," he noted.
Election Results and Reactions
The Liberal Party managed to secure wins in its traditional Perth heartland seats of Nedlands, Churchlands, and Carine. However, these victories were overshadowed by failures in capturing pivotal seats such as South Perth, Bateman, and Scarborough. The seat count for the Liberals remained in single figures, underscoring the magnitude of their electoral challenges.
Basil Zempilas, now representing Churchlands, accused Labor of running a smear campaign against him during the election. Premier Roger Cook strongly refuted these allegations.
In a broader context, Cook hailed Labor's decisive victory as a testament to his administration's policies.
"It's a vindication and a strong endorsement of our plan to keep the state the strongest economy in the country," Cook remarked.
Cook also highlighted the competitiveness in Fremantle as indicative of rising concerns about environmental issues within that electorate.
Path Forward for the Liberal Party
The election results have prompted introspection within the Liberal Party regarding its future strategy. Shane Love reiterated his call for collaboration between the Nationals and Liberals as a crucial step towards regaining voter confidence. He stressed that the party had not effectively communicated its vision to Western Australians.
The prospect of a fourth consecutive Labor term in 2029 looms large. The onus now lies on the Liberals to regroup and present a compelling case to voters in future elections. As Mettam faces potential leadership changes, whoever assumes the role will need ample time to build momentum and garner party support leading into the next electoral cycle.
