Former Labor Party member and union boss Brendan Nelson has been elected Liberal Party leader this afternoon in Canberra, 45 votes to 42. Western Australian Julie Bishop has been elected as his deputy.
Nelson’s election has come as a surprise. In the lead-up to the vote today, senior Liberals suggested Turnbull’s can-do approach would deliver much more in opposition than Nelson’s conciliatory style.
In contrast, Bishop’s election was expected. Chris Pyne’s candidacy has done much to boost his profile, but he was given little chance. Andrew Robb campaigned poorly, coming across as dull and wooden.
Nelson’s election marks a win in a cross-harbour competition that has been running silently but surely for some time. Mutterings have been coming out of Bradfield about the past business dealings of Nelson’s rival for some time – and how they could affect him as leader. These may have ultimately scuttled Turnbull’s chances.
Peter Costello may not have helped, either. He was backing Turnbull, but may have carried little authority after Sunday.
This is scarcely an emphatic win. It is a terrible way for the Liberals to start their time in opposition.
Still, the Liberals have called in the doctor. Will he have a cure for their electoral woes? Will the cure be worse than the disease?
It will be a long time before the Liberals are well again. Still, they can take some comfort as they swallow their medicine: Brendan Nelson is opposed to euthanasia.
Well said Andrew and Dermot! The man is a complete wanker and gets everything ar**ways up; he says it’s only the socialists who start wars. Do you think he meant Manichaean? Or is a Manchurian liberal a Candidate for conservatism run amok.
The “educated” anti-Lib instinct in supposedly Lib minded people. Why is Nelson’s close win terrible? Any worse than Rudd’s close win over Beazley? Half of Ozies reject the left & want a right wing Liberal Party, not Manchurian Libs after lefty approval.
More than 6 million Austns reject ALP & left. Howard won 4 elections rejecting unions, man made climate change, expressing regret without “sorry” word, refusing to denigrade the nation & its history. Post 04, Manchurian Libs wrecked conservative stand.
The Liberals have gone for a slippery-tongued pygmy. In electoral terms he will be their very own Simon Crean. If you are a Labor supporter that looks good but if you were hoping for a (necessary) bipartisan approach to climate change it is disappointing.
tony what is a manchurian liberal party? also, the close win opens the way for future challenges. Good luck Dr Nelson youre going to need it.