What Australians wants is an Opposition that is centre right, one that offers alternate progressive policies to those of the centre left, that is not happening at the moment. There are still a few progressive moderates within the Liberal Party that could form the basis for a TRUE Liberal Party. Until the moderates reassert themselves the alternative opposition will be consigned to wander in the political wilderness for a very long time. The election of a new Liberal Party leader will be the first sign to indicate if the party is going to try and rebuild itself as a truly progressive party. With the four names touted thus far, me thinks not.

For people like ttbn and others, who hanker for the "good old days", that they constantly view through the the lens of their "rose coloured glasses", there are radical right wing parties that pander to their self-centered ideals.

p/s That Dutton/Littleproud thought bubble called nuclear power has been totally rejected by Australia, and should be the first "policy" consigned to the rubbish bin of history.

ttbn,

Democracy a copout? Putin carries a lot of clout in Russia, but I don't think that it helps the Russians much.

Fester,

No. I clearly said that you were copping out with your 'nothing I can do' routine.

The demise of the Liberal Party is an opportunity for the Nationals to also desert them and oppose them in all seats at the next election, possibly doing deals with One Nation. All the tiny grandstanders like Family First, Libertarians, People First etc could also get over themselves and sign up to a single Conservative Party as the only way to save Australia from the raging socialism of Labor Party.

Despite the fact that, with less than 40 seats, the Liberal Party is buggered, the usual rusted-on fans are still waffling about “the part of Menzies”; “John Howard”; “who will the next leader be”. The only reaction to the last one is: they don't have anyone who could even lead a conga line, let alone a political party.

Dutton has provided the evidence that the Liberal Party needs knocking in the head for good, and replaced it with an alternative to socialism. The difference between the uniparty members is zero.

“The Liberals have become smug, elitist, unrelatable, arrogant, bland, directionless, and left-leaning. It would do them good for their better half (Nationals) to lead while they regroup and seek out fresh talent”. (Alexandra Marshall, ‘Flat White’, Spectator Australia; a thirty-something woman with more nous than all Australian political commentators put together).