Liberal MP for Bradfield Paul Fletcher given strong message on climate action and equality for women by voters

Liberal powerbroker Paul Fletcher will hold his seat despite a gut-wrenching 13 per cent swing against him, with the veteran MP stating he is aware why his constituents turned on him.

Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher is on track to hold his seat despite a gut-wrenching 13 per cent swing against him, with the veteran Liberal stating he is aware why his constituents turned on him.

Mr Fletcher will hold on to his seat on Sydney’s North Shore. However for the first time since he won the by-election triggered by Brendan Nelson’s 2009 retirement, it was a close race with his 16.6 per cent margin all but decimated.

“I’ve heard a pretty clear message and I’ll be seeking to take pretty clear accountability for that over the next three years,” Mr Fletcher said.

Mr Fletcher encountered strong challenges from both teal independent Nicolette Boele and Labor’s David Brigden.

Member for Bradfield Paul Fletcher in his Lidfield electoral office. Picture: John Appleyard

On a two party preferred basis Ms Boele has 46.4 per cent of the vote to Mr Fletcher’s 53.6 per cent.

“I want to acknowledge in Bradfield in this 2022 election a significant number of people who previously voted Liberal did not vote Liberal this time,” Mr Fletcher said.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people as to why they’re taking that position.

“I made sure I’ve heard the messages from that significant number of my constituents.

“The Liberal party needs to do more on the complex changes needed to achieve net zero emissions with regards to climate change.

“Clearly I’ve heard a strong message from people who have traditionally been Liberal voters that they want to see more from the Liberal party in this area.

“I do feel as a party we’ve not done as good a job as we could have done of communicating our detailed plans.”

But that’s not the only area Mr Fletcher experienced backlash.

Community group Voices of Bradfield ran a campaign called Dear Paul consisting of memes of women “breaking up” with Mr Fletcher in the style of a Dear John letter.

A meme about Bradfield MP Paul Fletcher circulated during the federal election campaign

“Dear Paul, I’ve fallen for someone else. It’s Nicolette Boele. Her fearless integrity. Her intelligence and passion. The clean energy future we can have together …” read one of the memes.

Mr Fletcher said equality was another of the issues female voters raised with him on the hustings.

“Clearly what’s also important is supporting equality. Opportunities for women in the workforce and in other aspects of life,” Mr Fletcher said.

“That’s certainly a message a number of women have put to me quite directly.”

However, Mr Fletcher also noted while some voters had turned away from the Liberal party, there were an unprecedented number of ballots in certain booths, particularly Hornsby, where the preference flow indicated constituents had voted Labor 1 and Liberal as number 2.

Bradfield Liberal MP Paul Fletcher voting at Montessori School. Picture courtesy of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Post

Mr Fletcher said he believed this indicated many people still valued the stability provided by the two major parties.

“There’s been a lot of criticism of major parties but that stability two major parties have provided – these are the kinds of things we take for granted until they’re gone,” he said.

The widely respected member of the Liberal party and experienced minster is expected to be granted a shadow portfolio once the new leader of the opposition has been decided.

Originally published as Liberal MP for Bradfield Paul Fletcher given strong message on climate action and equality for women by voters