There would have been a sense too, from Labor supporters, that here was a chance for a new beginning; a moment when Shorten’s political failings could be left behind and the ALP could forge ahead. Wrong.
Shorten couldn’t help himself and delivered one more tone-death blow to Labor’s standing. “We were up against corporate leviathans, a financial behemoth, spending hundreds of millions of dollars telling lies, spreading fear,” he said. “Powerful vested interests campaigned against us. Through sections of the media itself, and they got what they wanted.”
This was the very epitome of a sore loser. And while the bitterness might be understandable, the knowing damage to the Labor brand was unforgivable. The former Labor leader had spent the best part of six years amplifying his modern version of class warfare, dividing the community, setting working families against the “top end of town” and urging people to endorse new taxes and spending in a highly redistributive agenda. And voters rejected it.
Big business hardly played a role. In fact many on the Coalition side have long been frustrated about the way corporate Australia had become meek and mild on major economic debates, seemingly to align itself with a prospective Labor government in Canberra.
But delusional diagnosis aside, the real problem with Shorten’s assessment was what such democratic denial said about voters. Again the Left side of politics was patronising to voters. The voters hadn’t got it right, according to Shorten, they had been too stupid to recognise Labor’s superior agenda and too gullible in being conned by “corporate leviathans.”
Oh dear, after denouncing those opposed to his policies as “knuckle-draggers” and “cave dwellers” during the election, Shorten was still insulting voters. His words might have made him feel better for a moment but that sort of thinking can only be a drag on Anthony Albanese and Labor as they look for that new start.
In politics it is better to listen to voters than to demean them and better to assess your own failings rather than blame others.
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When Bill Shorten addressed Labor’s caucus in Canberra it was a poignant moment. He had given it all and fallen short. Here was his chance to exit with dignity in front of those who had put their faith in him.