10 things Liberal Party could do to bolster their chances come election day
With 100 days until the state election, it would be foolish to think the result is a fait accompli — but Matthew Guy has a huge mission ahead.
Opinion
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A week is a long time in politics. So with 100 days to go until the state election, it would be foolish to think the result is a fait accompli. While Daniel Andrews and his government look to be the clear frontrunner, anything could happen. But it will take a power of work by Matthew Guy and his team to get over the line. Here are just 10 things they could do to bolster their chances come election day.
1. SMARTEN UP
It’s now or never, and not too soon for the Liberals to professionalise their campaign machine.
It’s not the 1990s anymore. Ask anyone on the opposition benches and almost all will tip their hat to the well-oiled machine that has fired behind the Andrews government since it was swept to power in 2014. It’s slick and models extreme discipline.
The Libs need to prove to Victorians they have that same discipline and are prepared and ready to govern. This will mean focusing on outcomes, not just process, with clear messaging that needs to be more about voters and less about what legislation they’ll change.
2. HIT THE GROUND
There’s two parts to this.
First, get back to old-school campaigning. Simply put, hit the road, door-knock constituents and stand on street corners. No politician is above this. But it’s the small, local things like this that make or break elections.
Secondly, the party must finalise just who is running in which electorate. With only 100 days to go until the election, there are still too many seats with no confirmed candidates.
Local communities need to know they have an option, and need the time to weigh up candidates. And only in doing this will the Libs be able to improve their ground game in marginal seats.
3. STAY ON MESSAGE
Most political parties have issues staying on message, but if the Libs can highlight they are all singing from the same hymn sheet, they will increase their chances.
This is becoming an increasing problem for a party grappling with an identity crisis that is too often seeing battlelines drawn between arch-conservatives and more moderate members.
The party has done this well in persistently campaigning on the state’s health crisis, forcing it as a critical election issue. It must leverage that and one or two other key issues to maximum effect.
4. DIVERSIFY
The Libs have long suffered a diversity image problem. In particular, they have a women issue. Matthew Guy should be surrounded with women everywhere he goes.
Everywhere he goes, he needs to have three or four women joined to his hip. The ALP is very good at this. Make any men stay at least 3 metres away.
The party should also highlight their work experience outside of politics and the unions. Farmers, emergency service workers, health workers, teachers, former small business owners and even a former DJ make up the current crop. They should exploit the fact the team is not made up of one trick pony political staffers.
5. GET TECH SAVVY
It’s time to lift their social media game. Again, what would Andrews do?
What he does have is a well-oiled, perfectly executed, digital team that coordinates the government’s social media presence so it’s effective and so that it cuts through.
The haphazard way in which the Coalition go about this fails to capitalise on how effective social media can be, and ignores the power it has to reach target audiences.
The ALP is so well co-ordinated and on message. With the Libs, the Opposition has one message, the party has another, and remaining MPs just do their own thing.
6. WIN THE WILD WEST
Ground must be gained in the west, where voters have been left most disaffected by Covid and are ripe for the taking. If the party can’t pick up a few key seats in the west, they’re done.
This should include working hard to lock in crucial preference deals with fringe parties and independents to get candidates over the line. This will be key. Preferences could be what it takes to win this election.
7. TARGET COST OF LIVING
Cost of living is a key issue that will shift votes. But it needs one key policy to attract voters. It could be as simple as scrapping stamp duty on primary place of residences, for example.
It’s one of the biggest factors that put people off buying a bigger home or moving, and would help families get onto the property ladder.
8. HAVE A PLAN
The party must have a plan that is credible. Promises and commitments beyond thought bubbles that show they’re ready to get moving from day one. Much of the plan so far centres on repairing the health system.
Replicating this across other key areas will bolster their chances.
9. STAY CALM
Already some strategic polling has spooked some MPs, and they’re the ones who will be most at risk of running their own race and not remaining disciplined. This temptation must be contained in order to present a single, cohesive team.
10. PRAY
Pray, and pray hard, to whichever god you think will listen or has a passing interest in state politics. Miracles do happen – look to Patrick Cripps getting off at the AFL tribunal last week. You may very well need divine intervention on November 26.
Tomorrow: the 10 things the ALP must do to win the election
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