The Republican’s appeal to blue-collar battlers is a template the opposition leader seems determined to follow. But will it work?
To form a majority government at the next election, the Coalition needs a net gain of 20 seats; it would need to win ones regarded as rock solid Labor. Bethany Rae
Donald Trump came within a whisker of winning New Jersey, the home ground of blue-collar poet Bruce Springsteen and one of the most diverse and rock-solid Democratic states in America.
Trump’s emphatic election win, and his appeal to the working class across racial lines, has Liberal Party strategists dreaming; they wonder if it offers a route to victory for Peter Dutton in 2025, through blue-collar suburbs and regional fringes powered by fury over inflation that has swept incumbents from power around the world.
Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondentAndrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery. Connect with Andrew on Facebook and Twitter. Email Andrew at andrew.tillett@afr.com
Tom McIlroyCanberra Bureau ChiefTom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent. Connect with Tom on Twitter. Email Tom at thomas.mcilroy@afr.com
