‘Sleepwalk into irrelevance’: The Liberal loss explained | The Saturday Paper

Reasons for the Liberal Party's Defeat

The article extensively analyzes the reasons behind the Liberal Party's significant loss in the Australian election. Key factors include voter anger towards Peter Dutton, a lack of cohesive policy based on core values, and reliance on misleading internal polling.

• Voter dissatisfaction: Voters expressed strong disapproval of Peter Dutton, significantly impacting the election results.
• Policy failures: The party's focus on tactical policy responses rather than core values led to a disjointed and unconvincing message.
• Misleading polling: Internal polling from Freshwater Strategy overstated the Coalition's position, leading to miscalculated strategies.
• Rejection of culture wars: Voters rejected the party's focus on divisive cultural issues like Welcome to Country and elements of the national school curriculum.

Internal Divisions and Future Strategies

The article highlights the deep divisions within the Liberal Party. While some advocate for a return to the center and a focus on core economic messages, others remain committed to a Trump-style approach. The party's future direction is uncertain, with a leadership race underway.

• Leadership struggle: With Peter Dutton losing his seat, the party is facing a leadership race between Sussan Ley, Angus Taylor, Dan Tehan, and others.
• Need for reform: Several party members call for substantial internal reforms, particularly advocating for gender quotas to address the lack of female representation.
• Debate on gender quotas: While some support quotas as a way to connect with modern Australia, others remain opposed to quotas, preferring merit-based appointments.
• Party demographics: The average Liberal Party member being a male in their 70s contrasts sharply with the average Australian, who is a woman in their 35s.

Recommendations and Potential Outcomes

The article concludes with recommendations for the Liberal Party to revitalize its image and regain public trust. This includes abandoning divisive cultural issues, addressing voter concerns about economic policy, and considering gender quotas to reflect modern Australian society.