Preselection shock shatters the delusion that Abbott speaks for the Liberal Party 'base'
The latest dispute over Tony Abbott reveals the distrust at the heart of the Liberal Party in the wake of last month’s leadership spill in Canberra.The former prime minister had to stare down a protest vote from local branch members to hold on to his endorsement as the Liberal candidate for Warringah.
Tony Abbott survives shock challenge but may have secured just 55 per cent of vote
Tony Abbott has narrowly avoided being kicked out of the blue ribbon seat he has held for 25 years following a backlash fuelled by his role in the demise of Malcolm Turnbull and conservative views on climate change and same-sex marriage.In an unprecedented challenge that has thrown the spotlight on the former prime minister's political future, Mr Abbott may have secured just 55 per cent of votes cast during a fiery preselection meeting in his safe Sydney electorate of Warringah.
Fairfax Media has been told Mr Abbott - who ran unopposed - was backed by 46 members, while 38 others rejected his renomination to contest next year's federal election.
The size of the protest vote has shocked the Liberal Party, and some moderate members now believe Mr Abbott's grip on the northern beaches seat is not guaranteed and may attempt to oust him during the next term of Parliament with a strong female candidate.At a more local level, they believe Mr Abbott is out of step with the views of the party membership and wider electorate on issues like climate change, renewable energy and same-sex marriage. Warringah recorded a 75 per cent vote in favour of same-sex marriage in last year's postal survey - the 10th highest votes in the country and the fifth highest of the Liberal Party's 76 seats in Parliament.
The meeting erupted when officials refused to read out the numbers from the secret ballot. Members were heard shouting "disgrace", "transparency is dead", and "release the results".
Abbott learns what it means to have the tail wag the dog in Warringah. A message was sent and the vote was hidden
Preselection shock shatters the delusion that Abbott speaks for the ...
The Sydney Morning Herald-9 hours ago
The latest dispute over Tony Abbott reveals the distrust at the heart of the Liberal Party in the wake of last month's leadership spill in Canberra.
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