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Liberal Party Leadership Crisis Deepens as Tony Staley and Andrew Peacock Switch Allegiances

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A bitter battle for leadership of the Liberal Party has escalated with the president, Tony Staley, launching a scathing attack on leader Dr Hewson, calling for him to resign before today's ballot. Meanwhile, senior frontbencher Andrew Peacock has switched his allegiance to the Downer-Costello "youth ticket" and rejected allegations that he had turned his back on Dr Hewson. Former leader John Howard has also announced his withdrawal from the leadership contest, citing the need for the party to re-identify itself as representing all sections of the Australian community.

Key Takeaways:

  • Tony Staley has called for Dr Hewson to resign before today's ballot, citing the party's inability to win an election with him as leader.
  • Andrew Peacock has switched his allegiance to the Downer-Costello "youth ticket" and rejected allegations that he had turned his back on Dr Hewson.
  • Former leader John Howard has withdrawn from the leadership contest, citing the need for the party to re-identify itself as representing all sections of the Australian community.
  • Mr Staley has claimed that he rang Dr Hewson on Saturday and pleaded with him to stand down, but instead was rebuffed.
  • Mr Peacock has praised the Downer-Costello ticket, describing it as "one of the most impressive performances by Liberals I've seen in television in recent years."
  • John Howard has stated that he will publicly endorse neither Downer nor Hewson, but will instead focus on helping the party re-identify itself.

Statistics:

  • 4 years: the amount of time Andrew Peacock has given to supporting Dr Hewson as leader.
  • 20 years: the amount of time John Howard has been the federal member for Bennelong.
  • 1990: the year Dr Hewson ascended to the Liberal leadership with the support of Andrew Peacock.
  • 80%: the "youth ticket" of Downer and Costello won the backing of.
  • 4%: the percentage of Liberal supporters who believe Hewson should lead the party.

Sources:

  • Kate Lenthall, Andrew Peacock, The senior Liberal frontbencher, Mr Andrew Peacock, emerged from his East Melbourne home yesterday morning to announce that he was switching his allegiance to the Downer-Costello "youth ticket".
  • SONYA VOUMARD, A Press Gallery, John Howard, At a lunch yesterday, celebrating 20 years as the federal member for Bennelong, Mr John Howard spoke to more than 250 Liberal Party friends of undying passion.
  • TONY STALEY, John Kennedy, Senator Michael Baume, The Liberal Party's president, Tony Staley, yesterday launched an attack on the Opposition Leader, Dr Hewson, saying the party could not win an election with him as leader.

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