NSW Nationals leader Troy Grant resigns after “uphill battle” to win seat of Orange

THIS guy looks like he’s had a tough day, because he has. He’s about to lose his job after overseeing a disastrous few months of politics.

Nationals leader Troy Grant cuts a lonely figure amid a cavalcade of noisy anti-Nationals volunteers at the Bletchington Public School booth for the Orange by-election. Picture: Jonathan Ng

NSW Nationals leader Troy Grant will formally stand down from his position after the party looks set to lose a by-election in Orange to the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers party.

In a statement, Mr Grant said: “As a result of The Nationals candidate for Orange Scott Barrett facing an uphill battle to hold the seat, I have informed the NSW Nationals leadership team that at tomorrow’s Party Room meeting I will be standing down as Leader of the NSW Nationals.

“It has been an incredible privilege to serve in that role and lead a team whose sole focus is to serve the people of regional NSW.

“At all times I have been guided by my principles of honesty, integrity and hard work but I accept the result in Orange is a clear message that we haven’t always got it right, nor have we always taken the community with us.”

#BREAKING NSW Nationals leader Troy Grant resigns after "uphill battle to hold the seat" of Orange. Statement here. pic.twitter.com/Y4FoMyPXJF

— Matt Young (@MattYoung) November 14, 2016

Voters angry with the now-scrapped greyhound racing ban and unpopular council mergers turned away from the Nationals in droves on Saturday, with the party suffering a massive 35 per cent swing against it on the primary vote.

The central-west electorate has been Nationals territory for nearly 70 years and was last held by a 21.7 per cent margin.

With voting continuing on Monday, Nationals’ candidate Scott Barrett had so far taken more than 30 per cent of the primary votes, with the Shooters Fishers and Farmers’ Philip Donato close behind on 24 per cent.

With Labor preferences favouring the minor party, it’s likely the Shooters will capture their first lower house seat.

. @Scotty_Barrett addresses media moments before @troygrant announces he will stand down as @NSWNationals leader @WINNEWS_CW #WINNews6pm pic.twitter.com/ZtteZ02YaA

— Samara Gardner (@SamaraMGardner) November 14, 2016

Candidate for seat of #Orange @Scotty_Barrett acknowledges the @NSWNationals brand has been tarnished, seconds before @troygrant steps down. pic.twitter.com/5zWDb5J4sX

— Floyd Cush (@FloydCush) November 14, 2016

Mr Grant was staring down a leadership spill as bloodletting within the NSW Nationals began after the party’s disastrous showing.

“Regional NSW is full of hardworking, decent people that want to see their Government supporting them and otherwise let them live their lives as they see fit,” Mr Grant wrote.

“I hope that through my actions the NSW Government is given the opportunity to pause and reset the way it is seen to be governing and our record of delivery can once more be front and centre.

“I am proud of the results the NSW Liberals & Nationals have been able to achieve for regional NSW and the state since coming to power and it is vital that this continues.

“I thank those in the party, our branches and our communities for the trust and support they have shown me during my time as Leader.”