NSW Liberal leader tells MPs to lift after devastating poll results

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman says his party needs to lift their game after devastating polls show Labor could seize 10 Coalition seats at the next election. WATCH THE VIDEO

On DTTV, Mark Speakman told his MPs to work harder.

Mark Speakman has blamed his own MPs for dire polling results, with the embattled Liberal leader declaring “everyone has to take responsibility” for failing to cut through with voters.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Wednesday that Labor is on track to win 10 seats from the Coalition, according to bombshell new polling.

The results sent a shockwave through the Opposition party room, with Liberals despairing at their electoral prospects on Wednesday.

The research, from pollsters DemosAU and advisory firm Premier National, sparked a fresh round of speculation about the Liberal Party leadership.

However, in an interview with DTTV’s State of Affairs, Mr Speakman insisted he is still the best person for the job.

Liberal Leader Mark Speakman says his team needs to work harder to sell its message. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“I believe with my experience, my track record, my focus on policy, and my general competence and teamwork, I’m the best placed to be the leader of the Liberal Party,” he said.

“But if someone was to put their hand up, they’re always able to do that,” he said.

The polling showed that primary vote for the Coalition has fallen 5.4 percentage points since the last election.

On a two-party preferred basis, Labor is ahead 59 per cent to the Coalition’s 41 per cent.

That could translate to the Liberals losing the seats of Ryde, Holsworthy, Oatley, Terrigal, Goulburn, Drummoyne, Winston Hills and Miranda.

Asked for his message to those MPs in the firing line, Mr Speakman said they should not take their jobs for granted.

“I don’t want colleagues who are complacent,” he said.

“If you are as cool as a cucumber, you are as effective as a cucumber.”

He suggested he wanted his MPs to be “edgy”.

“I want them out there working in their communities, I want them working as a team on policy.

Mr Speakman said he would not resign, while calling on his “team” to work harder.

“I’m not a quitter,” he said.

“We have to be selling our policies as aggressively as possible.

“That’s a team approach. That means all of my colleagues need to be putting up ideas on policy.

“Every one of us needs to be out there in the communities and marketing (policies)”.

Mr Speakman said he is “not a quitter”. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“If you get a poll that is going the wrong way, that’s just more reason to try even harder and smarter.”

“It’s a team approach. Ultimately, everyone has to take responsibility, but as the leader, I take more responsibility than anyone else.”

Mr Speakman highlighted his plans for more housing in the Inner West and Camellia, as well as a pledge for more Metro lines as a contrast to Premier Chris Minns.

Premier Chris Minns defended Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire

“Despite all the rhetoric, and all the rezonings, and all the circles on maps … housing affordability has gotten worse,” Mr Speakman said.

Asked about the polling, Premier Minns said he expected the Liberal Party to “get their act together” in time for the next election.

“The last thing I want the voters to believe, taxpayers to believe, is that we are anything other than humbly going to the next election.

“We believe it will be close. We have to fight for every vote. No poll taken today means anything when March 2027 comes along, and I think the shortest way (to) be a one term government is if the voters believe that we’ve got the next election [in the bag].”