A slew of frontbenchers has quit the Liberal shadow cabinet after Angus Taylor’s resignation on Wednesday night, signalling a looming leadership spill against embattled leader Sussan Ley.
‘Since the election in May last year, I’ve sought to be a constructive member of the leadership team, and supported Sussan Ley’s leadership in a difficult time,’ he said.
‘But we can’t mince with words. The Liberal Party is at the worst position it has been since 1944 when the party was formed.’
On Thursday, a spate of frontbenchers followed suit, with Liberal Party Whip Aaron Violi confirming he he’d received a request to hold a party room meeting.
So far this morning, Matt O’Sullivan, Philip Thompson, Shadow Cybersecurity and Science Minister Clare Chandler, and Senate Deputy Whip Jess Collins have resigned from the shadow ministry.
Daily Mail Australia political editor Peter van Onselen said it was difficult to see Ley surviving a leadership challenge.
‘Chandler’s resignation is all about building momentum for Angus Taylor’s challenge. It’s actually the same playbook Tony Abbott used to blast out Malcolm Turnbull as opposition leader back in 2009,’ he said.
‘But this time the added tactic is getting women MPs and Senators to lead the charge, in a bid to overcome the perception that the boys’ club is rolling the first female leader of the party.
‘It’s the same reason Sarah Henderson and Jane Hume led the charge this week calling for change.
‘It’s also why Zoe McKenzie is emerging as the likely running mate for deputy. Whether it works or not is another matter.
‘Either way it’s very hard to see Sussan Ley surviving this looming challenge, even though Taylor asks as many questions as he answers.’
Fury amongst Ley supporters
Supporters of Sussan Ley have directed their frustration at Angus Taylor, warning colleagues that replacing her would not solve the party’s ongoing problems.
One MP told Daily Mail that removing Ley now would be ‘catastrophic’ for the Liberals’ already shaky relationship with female voters, saying women were drifting ‘in all directions’ to the Teals and even to Pauline Hanson, and a leadership scalp would only worsen the situation.
Another MP was scathing about Taylor.
‘He doesn’t like to take risks. He’s used to things being handed to him on a silver platter,’ they told Daily Mail.
Liberal frontbencher and moderate Andrew Bragg described any leadership challenge as ‘premature’.
Speaking on Sky News, the NSW senator urged the Liberals to put aside ‘individual or sectional interests’.
‘Sussan has policies which are ready to go, housing stuff, immigration stuff, and I think she ought to be given an opportunity to do that work,’ Bragg said.
He argued Ley had inherited a ‘pretty difficult hand’ and should be given more time in the role.
‘Twelve months in the job is at least a reasonable attempt,’ he said.
Shadow Minister for Housing Andrew Bragg is pictured.
PVO: ‘Difficult to see Ley surviving’
Daily Mail Australia political editor Peter van Onselen said it was difficult to see Ley surviving the leadership challenge.
‘Chandler’s resignation is all about building momentum for Angus Taylor’s challenge,’ he said.
‘It’s actually the same playbook Tony Abbott used to blast out Malcolm Turnbull as opposition leader back in 2009.
‘But this time the added tactic is getting women MPs and Senators to lead the charge, in a bid to overcome the perception that the boys’ club is rolling the first female leader of the party.
‘It’s the same reason Sarah Henderson and Jane Hume led the charge this week calling for change.
‘It’s also why Zoe McKenzie is emerging as the likely running mate for deputy. Whether it works or not is another matter.
‘Either way it’s very hard to see Sussan Ley surviving this looming challenge, even though Taylor asks as many questions as he answers.’
Spill motion against Sussan Ley received
A spill motion was formally delivered to Opposition Leader Sussan Ley earlier this morning, with Angus Taylor preparing to challenge her for the top job.
The motion is set to be moved by NSW Senator Jess Collins, one of Taylor’s key allies.
Ley’s supporters are pushing for the party room meeting to be held on Thursday, arguing that an expedited timetable could strengthen their position.
Taylor’s backers, however, maintain that a Thursday meeting is unworkable, noting that several Liberal senators are tied up with Senate estimates hearings that are expected to run until 10pm on Thursday.
Taylor’s camp is instead advocating for a Friday meeting.
NSW Senator Jess Collins is pictured.
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Liberal frontbenchers dropping like FLIES as embattled leader Sussan Ley is handed a major ultimatum
