The Northern Territory election
occurred only a week ago, but before we forget about it we should ask
this question: Is Denis Burke Australia’s least successful political
leader ever? Burkie took over the CLP when it dominated the Top End’s
Legislative Assembly, with 18 seats to seven for the ALP. Shane Stone
had just bungled the statehood referendum. It was all downhill from
there. He took the party to its first defeat ever.

Burke
resigned as leader, but came back earlier this year – only to lead the
CLP to humiliation. It now holds four seats. Burke lost his own, the
CLP’s safest.

Is there anyone – state or federal – who’s scored that sort of record?