Angus Taylor Steps Down, Likely to Challenge Sussan Ley for Liberal Leader

Angus Taylor has resigned from his role in the Liberal Party's frontbench. This is seen as a step towards challenging Sussan Ley for the party leadership. The party is dealing with low public support and internal disagreements.
By Newsroom | Politics, Australia |

The Liberal Party in Australia is at a critical juncture, facing internal turmoil and the strong possibility of a leadership challenge. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who recently navigated a fragile coalition reunion, is reportedly under immense pressure. Angus Taylor, a senior Liberal figure, has resigned from the frontbench, a move widely seen as the prelude to a bid for the party's leadership. This development signals a significant test for Ley's nine-month tenure and raises questions about the Liberal Party's direction as it grapples with poor public polling.

Sussan Ley looks doomed but Angus Taylor would still face a huge job - 1

Internal Division and Leadership Aspirations

The Liberal Party is experiencing a period of heightened internal debate and division. Reports indicate that a significant number of Liberal MPs are contemplating a leadership change, driven by concerns over the party's electoral prospects.

Sussan Ley looks doomed but Angus Taylor would still face a huge job - 2

  • Sussan Ley's Position: Ley, the first woman to lead the Liberal Party, has publicly maintained that her leadership is secure. She has also indicated the party's intent to soon unveil new immigration principles. Despite these assertions, the narrative of a looming challenge persists. Ley's efforts to maintain unity, particularly after a recent coalition reconciliation with the Nationals, have been noted.

  • Angus Taylor's Moves: Angus Taylor's resignation from the shadow cabinet on Wednesday evening is a direct precursor to a leadership challenge. This action has generated considerable discussion and is viewed by many as a decisive step toward contesting Ley's leadership. Taylor, described as a "conventional Liberal," is seen by some as a potential alternative leader. His resignation follows weeks of speculation about his leadership ambitions.

The Path to a Challenge

The events leading up to this point suggest a calculated approach to a potential leadership spill. The timing of Taylor's resignation and the discussions among party members indicate a coordinated effort.

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Sussan Ley looks doomed but Angus Taylor would still face a huge job - 3

  • Triggers for Challenge: Public polling, described as "dire" and showing the Coalition's primary vote at 18%, has fueled discontent and discussions about leadership change. A recent reunion with the Nationals, brokered after a 17-day split, may have temporarily stabilized the coalition but has not quelled internal anxieties.

  • Formalizing a Challenge: Under party rules, two or more Liberal MPs can request a special party room meeting to consider a motion to spill the leadership. Allies of Sussan Ley have reportedly urged Angus Taylor's supporters to "put your name to it," demanding public declaration of their support to formalize a challenge. This would require a petition to demonstrate sufficient backing.

  • Timeline of Events:

  • Recent Days: Intense speculation about a leadership spill has dominated political discourse.

  • Tuesday Morning: A scheduled Liberal party room meeting occurred without an immediate spill motion, though discussions about the party's future and poll numbers were reportedly prevalent.

  • Wednesday Evening: Angus Taylor resigned from the Liberal frontbench. This is widely interpreted as the formal commencement of steps toward a leadership challenge.

  • Anticipated Challenge: A challenge is widely expected to occur this week, potentially on Thursday or Friday, though some reports suggest it might have been considered as early as Tuesday.

Perspectives on Leadership

Opinions within the Liberal Party are divided regarding the current leadership and the potential challenges.

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Sussan Ley looks doomed but Angus Taylor would still face a huge job - 4

  • Support for Ley: Some figures, like Liberal senator Maria Kovacic, have publicly stated their support for Sussan Ley. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Wallace has expressed criticism of the idea of removing Ley, highlighting her position as the party's first female leader. Moderate MPs have indicated a commitment to supporting Ley, which would necessitate Taylor seeking votes from center-right and unaligned members.

  • Doubts and Critiques: Conversely, Senator Jane Hume has publicly questioned Ley's leadership, suggesting the party has been "led astray." Critics of Ley's leadership cite "passive leadership and poor showing in parliament" as factors eroding confidence. While some believe Ley's leadership will falter over time, others are impatient for a more decisive move.

  • Taylor's Candidacy: Taylor's suitability for leadership has also been a subject of debate. Some describe him as a "conventional Liberal," while others have voiced doubts about his capabilities, with one unnamed Liberal MP reportedly calling his tenure as Shadow Treasurer an "absolute disaster."

Evidence and Observations

Multiple sources confirm the escalating tensions and the planned leadership maneuver.

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  • Taylor's Resignation: Angus Taylor has formally resigned from the Liberal frontbench. This is a key procedural step required to challenge for the leadership.

  • Ley's Efforts: Sussan Ley has been actively contacting colleagues to shore up support and is reportedly determined to make it difficult for Taylor to gain the necessary moderate votes.

  • Supporter Dynamics: Allies of Ley are seeking to expose the extent of support for Taylor by urging his backers to publicly declare their intentions.

  • Previous Contest: In a prior leadership ballot last May, Sussan Ley narrowly defeated Angus Taylor by 29 votes to 25. This history suggests a potential contest could be close.

  • Coalition Context: The recent reunion with the Nationals, where their leader David Littleproud had stated he "could not serve in a shadow cabinet under Ley," adds another layer of complexity to the party's standing.

Expert and Media Commentary

Commentary from various news outlets and figures within the political sphere underscores the gravity of the situation.

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  • "Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a critic and former frontbencher, has already confirmed she will vote for Taylor, telling Sky News the situation was dire." (The Guardian)

  • "Senior Liberal MP Andrew Hastie pulled out of the Liberal leadership race… Liberal Senator Jane Hume publicly questioned Ley's leadership on Monday, saying the Liberal Party had been led astray." (Daily Mail)

  • "Liberals are openly contemplating a leadership change after a Newspoll published in The Australian showed the Coalition slipping to a primary vote of 18 per cent, behind One Nation." (ABC News)

  • "Taylor may be a reluctant conscript for a leadership battle this early in the year, but if he wants the job he can’t wait for someone to hand it to him." (AFR)

  • "Shadow attorney-general Andrew Wallace called for cooler heads and warned his colleagues against overthrowing their first female leader." (Northern Daily Leader)

Conclusion and Implications

The Liberal Party is poised for a significant leadership contest. Sussan Ley's position as Opposition Leader appears precarious following Angus Taylor's resignation from the frontbench. Taylor's actions indicate a clear intent to challenge for the leadership, supported by a segment of the conservative faction of the party. Ley's ability to retain her position hinges on her capacity to unite the moderate and centrist wings of the party, a challenge underscored by the narrow victory she secured against Taylor in a previous ballot. The outcome of this internal struggle will have considerable implications for the Liberal Party's trajectory and its electoral performance, particularly in light of the current unfavorable polling. The immediate focus remains on whether Taylor can consolidate sufficient numbers for a successful challenge and how Ley will respond to the imminent pressure.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Angus Taylor resign?
Angus Taylor resigned from the Liberal frontbench to be able to run for the party leader position. This is a step needed to challenge the current leader, Sussan Ley.
Q: Is Sussan Ley facing a leadership challenge?
Yes, Angus Taylor's resignation suggests he plans to challenge Sussan Ley for the leadership of the Liberal Party. This comes after bad poll results and disagreements within the party.
Q: What is the Liberal Party's current situation?
The Liberal Party is facing internal disagreements and poor public opinion polls. This has led to discussions about changing the party leader.
Q: What happens next?
It is expected that Angus Taylor will formally challenge Sussan Ley for the leadership soon. The party room will then vote on who should lead them.