Victorian Opposition leader Matthew Guy tipped to step down after humiliating defeat

Victorian Liberals believe Matthew Guy is likely to step aside as Opposition Leader as the party tries to pick up the pieces from a disastrous election defeat. And these are the MPs tipped to take over the vanquished party.

Victorian Liberals believe Matthew Guy is likely to step aside as Opposition leader as the party tries to pick up the pieces from a disastrous election defeat.

Mr Guy kept a low profile today and did not speak with media, but people close to him said he was mulling over his options and they would be surprised if he decided to continue as leader.

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The blame game intensified as Liberals fought over the reasons for the heavy loss, including leadership chaos in Canberra, internal infighting, and issues with campaign strategy and policy.

If Mr Guy decides to step down, the party is not expected to choose a new leader until Parliament sits next month.

Matthew Guy announces defeat during the Liberal Party’s reception on election night. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Shadow Attorney-General John Pesutto is touted as a leading contender — if he can hang on to his seat of Hawthorn, which he is expected to hold but the result is still too close to call.

Shadow Treasurer Michael O’Brien and education spokesman Tim Smith’s names have also been put forward.

It is understood Mr Smith is unlikely to make a run.

A Victorian Liberal said the party “doesn’t stand for anything any more”, and the next leader needed to solve the identity crisis.

Fingers were being pointed at the campaign leadership, which was described as “amateurish” and at times “chaotic”.

One Labor figure texted a Liberal rival and said Premier Daniel Andrews would send “an Order of Lenin to (Liberal state director) Nick Demiris and (Liberal state president) Michael Kroger”.

Michael Kroger has been lampooned after the Liberals’ loss. Picture: David Caird

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Mr Andrews hit out at Mr Kroger for “swanning around the suburbs that you’ve never been to in your Burberry trench coat, lecturing people about the cost of living”.

A Labor source said the Premier’s spray “was for Lisa (Neville”, after Mr Kroger posted a bizarre video showing the Police Minister drinking a glass of wine the day after the Bourke St attack.

Liberal insiders were also upset at the lack of women in the campaign leadership team.

When former prime minister John Howard visited Liberal HQ, staffers moved volunteers so enough women were in TV vision behind him.

“Our brand stunk,” one source said.

Liberal MPs were angry not enough money was spent early on advertising to soften Mr Guy’s image, and several questioned the advance work on media opportunities.

In one embarrassment, Mr Guy posed with a Frankston restaurant owner who had been convicted for cannabis cultivation, because his minders had spelled her name incorrectly when checking her background.

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On another campaign stop, Mr Guy held a press conference near frontbencher David Morris’s Mornington electorate — except Mr Morris only arrived as the campaign bus drove off.

The Opposition’s plan to spend up to $5.3 billion removing 55 traffic light intersections was also deemed a failed attempt to match Labor’s level crossings successes.

A Liberal MP said the party was even hesitant to spruik it after concerns emerged about the impact of building new bridges in suburban areas.

Federal government figures were confused by the policy, supposed to have been partially funded with cash from Canberra, with one source saying “it was a waste of money”.

Liberals were also “dumbfounded” by the limited campaign in Morwell despite the closure of the Hazelwood power station.

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