In a significant political development, Senator Jane Hume has publicly announced her intention to run for the position of deputy leader of the Liberal Party. This move comes as the party prepares for a pivotal leadership vote scheduled for Friday morning in Canberra.
Leadership Challenge and Party Dynamics
The Liberal Party is set to convene at 9am on Friday in the nation's capital, where members will cast their votes to determine the future leadership of the party. This meeting follows a period of internal turmoil, with the party's support base being impacted by surges from One Nation, leading to widespread calls for change.
Angus Taylor is widely believed to have garnered sufficient support to surpass current leader Sussan Ley. If successful, this would result in the ousting of Ley, who became the party's first female leader only months ago, and subsequently open up the deputy leader position for which Hume is now vying.
Hume's Announcement and Support for Taylor
Senator Hume made her announcement during an interview on Sunrise, stating, "I'll be supporting Angus Taylor's candidacy and I'll also be putting my own hand up for the role of deputy leader." She expressed respect for Ley, describing her as a "good person" who has worked "incredibly hard in service of her party and her country."
However, Hume emphasised the pressing need for change within the party. She noted that when she and her colleagues return to their electorates, constituents are conveying a clear message that they require more from the Liberal opposition. "We are sitting at a crossroads and we can't sit idly by while we see our support erode," Hume asserted.
Critique of Current Government and Opposition
Hume provided a stark assessment of the current political landscape, arguing that the government is underperforming and failing to increase its support among voters. "This government is not doing a good job, its support isn't increasing. People are feeling rightly aggrieved, but they're not seeing an alternative from a Liberal opposition," she explained.
She stressed the dual responsibility of the opposition: to hold the government accountable while also presenting a viable alternative to the electorate. "We need to be able to hold the government to account, but we also need to be able to provide a credible alternative to voters at the next election," Hume concluded, underscoring the urgency of the party's current predicament.
The outcome of Friday's vote will be closely watched, as it could reshape the leadership structure of the Liberal Party and influence its strategy moving forward.
