Knifing leaders is no way to govern

AS the PM faces his 30th Newspoll, a loss will have insiders plotting and Turnbull in anguish. The rest of us will be wishing for an end to spills and government that focuses on more important matters, writes Peta Credlin.

WHEN Newspoll is published tomorrow, the commentators will prognosticate and the insiders will plot.

For the ordinary person, the confirmation that Turnbull has failed his own test will blur into the usual lying and scheming associated with politicians, and they’ll just move on with their busy lives, trying to make ends meet and wishing that for once the government — whoever it might be — would just focus on the things that matter to them.

PM Malcolm Turnbull will find out the results of the 30th Newspoll tomorrow. (Pic: Kym Smith)

For Malcolm Turnbull the man, hitting his 30th straight Newspoll loss will be like salt on a wound. He’s already deeply anguished that he’s performed so badly to date for someone who’s coveted the top job all his life. Tomorrow, he’ll be like Vesuvius behind closed doors.

Right now, the only reason the PM is still in the job is that Malcolm Turnbull is not being stalked by a Malcolm Turnbull. The contenders are lining up, don’t be in any doubt about that, but they still lack the numbers and Turnbull-style ruthlessness. That will come, especially as backbenchers vote with self-interest the closer they get to electoral oblivion. (And if I was the PM, I’d worry more about “loyal” deputies than Lycra on this score).

What’s sad for all of us, as a country, is that knifing leaders has become the new way to govern, or not govern, as the case maybe. When you turn the prime ministership into a revolving door — subject to the whim of a fickle and feckless party room — we are all diminished.

Originally published as Knifing leaders is no way to govern