Ex-PM John Howard gives pep talk to Victorian Coalition MPs

FORMER PM John Howard has delivered a pep talk to state coalition MPs, telling them the modern political era has shown first-term governments are vulnerable.

FORMER prime minister John Howard has delivered a pep talk to state coalition MPs, telling them the modern political era has shown first-term governments are vulnerable.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy welcomed Mr Howard to State Parliament to give an address to his team.

Mr Howard said Labor could be defeated in 2018, despite only being elected in 2014.

“You can win the next election because we are in a new paradigm, first-term governments are remarkably vulnerable in the modern political era,” Mr Howard said.

“If anybody in this room thinks that we have to keep up appearances and they (Labor) are going to be there for a term or two — don’t believe it.”

Former Prime Minister John Howard walks to his car with Opposition leader Matthew Guy. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Former Prime Minister John Howard leaves the Opposition Party Room with Opposition leader Matthew Guy. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mr Howard said the government looked fragile because of infighting.

“It seems to me there is a lot of internal poison,” he said.

“That’s bad news for a first term government.”