By Elections

Update: The first Newspoll following Tony Abbott taking the Liberal leadership this morning shows the Opposition’s primary vote rising by 4 per cent to 38 per cent, with Tony Abbott’s preferred Prime Minister rating at 23 per cent. Kevin Rudd preferred PM support has dropped 5 points to 60 per cent with Labor still holding a 56-44 lead in the two party preferred vote.

While the weekend’s by-elections in Higgins and Bradfield were undoubtedly a good result for the Liberal Party, it’s hard to draw any other conclusion from them other than to say Liberals can still be elected in safe Liberal seats. 

It might be tempting for Liberals opposed to the ETS to argue that it puts paid to the claim the Government claims that Australians have an overwhelming desire for the introduction of the scheme, but being returned in safe seats formally occupied by the Treasurer and former opposition leader with no Labor candidate contesting isn’t exactly a litmus test on the national vibe.

Despite a swing of less than 1 per cent swing against her the new member of Higgins Kelly O’Dwyer wasn’t about to claim as much either when The Punch asked whether it was an endorsement of Tony’s Abbott’s stance.

Continue reading "What do we learn from the Liberal wins? Not much" »