Mark Latham to re-enter politics as Liberal Democrat

MARK Latham is planning his political comeback at the next state or federal poll, with David Leyonhjelm confirming he has plans to run the controversial former Labor leader as a Liberal Democrat.

Mark Latham is looking at a return to politics. Picture: Dylan Robinson

MARK Latham is planning his political comeback at the next state or federal poll, with David Leyonhjelm confirming he has plans to run the controversial former Labor leader as a Liberal Democrat.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Liberal Democrat national executive and Senator Leyonhjelm are already deep in discussions with Mr Latham as part of a plan to run him as a candidate at either the next federal or state election.

Senator David Leyonhjelm has been in talks with the former Labor leader. Picture: Lukas Coch

Senator Leyonhjelm said the party “has been discussing Mark as a possible candidate (and) I have had discussions with Mark about his preference of where he would like to run”, but no final decision had been made.

“The discussions have included both state and federal election, there’s a fair chance we will run him as a candidate in one position or another, but it is still a work in progress,” he said.

Mr Latham today said he had been approached by four separate parties including Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, refusing to comment further.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has also approached Mr Latham. Picture: Mick Tsikas

Mr Latham, who has courted controversy since he left politics as a commentator, joined the Liberal Democrats last year and has been black-listed by Labor, the party he led against former prime minister John Howard at the 2004 election.

Mr Latham has since been forced to resign as an Australian Financial Review columnist and was fired by Sky News Australia after airing a number of controversial social views, questioning the sexuality of a high school student and abusing a number of prominent women through online.

The career defining 2004 handshake between then Prime Minister John Howard and Mark Latham. Picture: John Feder

It is understood One Nation also approached Mr Latham as a potential candidate.

“I’ve been approached by representatives of four different parties wanting me to run in the senate,” Mr Latham said earlier today.

“I’m not going to be talking about private conversations. I can’t go into details.

“It’s a classic non-denial, denial.”

Mr Latham has made several colourful public appearances in his post-politics career. Picture: Ian Currie

Both federal and state elections are due next year.

Mr Latham was first being elected as a Labor MP in the Western Sydney electorate of Werriwa in 1994 and became leader of the party in 2003.

He resigned as leader and from Parliament in 2005.