Love him or hate him, Craig Kelly is his own man

Craig Kelly’s controversial views on COVID treatments should have been seen by the Liberal Party for what they were: free speech and diversity of thought.

Instead, the relentless criticism and the pressure for him to conform has forced Kelly to resign from the party and continue as an independent. Sadly, prime minister John Howard’s declaration some years ago that the Liberal Party was a “broad church” is difficult to justify these days.

David Bakhsh, Kogarah, NSW

The parliamentary report into the 2019 election, as referred to by Liberal senator James McGrath in a tweet on Tuesday (Strewth, 24/2), recommends that the government investigate “the viability and ramification of determining a seat to be declared vacant when a sitting MP resigns from or leaves the party under which they were elected”.

The resignation of Craig Kelly from the Liberal Party once again highlights the need for some form of legislated procedure that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for a sitting MP to change party allegiance mid-term.

A Senate seat could be declared vacant as the appointment of a replacement MP by the party room will not require an election. If, on the other hand, the sitting MP is in the House of Representatives then a change in party allegiance should need electoral approval.

In recent years we’ve had far too many MPs changing party allegiance and thereby leaving their constituents without genuine representation along the party lines they voted for.

Elizabeth Todd, St Ives, NSW

Craig Kelly has chosen to resign from the Liberal Party, as is his right (“I’m not gonna take it any more: cross Kelly”, 24/2). However, he was elected under the Liberal banner and should therefore resign from Parliament altogether. A by-election can then ensue and allow his constituents to decide if they want him to remain their MP as a crossbencher.

Sam Halvorsen, Coolum Beach, Qld

Craig Kelly retained the seat of Hughes for the Liberals with a 9.9 per cent margin at the last election and has been its member for many years due to his close contact with the voters. Australia is a democracy and freedom of thought and speech are integral elements of the process. An honest MP is one who reflects the views of the people who elected him rather than caves in to party pressure.

Jennifer Mullins, Mollymook Beach, NSW

Maverick Craig Kelly clearly subscribes to the strong view that “even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth”. Not for him “the party is bigger than any individual” argument.

Steve Ngeow, Chatswood, NSW

I have always believed that an MP who is elected by the constituents to represent a particular party should not be permitted to leave that party and stay in office. The voters who elected Craig Kelly are now effectively disenfranchised. He was not elected to vote on his personal feelings, but to represent the Liberals of Hughes. He should leave parliament and a Liberal member should take his place.

Robyn Manoy, Darling Point, NSW

Craig Kelly’s only sin was to insist on facts and evidence about climate, energy and early COVID-19 treatment. The constant attacks on him by much of the press and his own party simply illustrate how hard it is to be a rationalist in these emotional and ideologically driven times when woke fantasies and power struggles dominate. My guess is that large numbers in Texas now agree with him on renewable energy and climate. Some perhaps would agree with Greg Sheridan (“Here’s hoping this Trumpian outbreak is not infectious”, 24/2) that Kelly’s behaviour is Trumpian, but I don’t and I suspect many from the Lone Star state agree.

Doug Hurst, Chapman, ACT

According to the report “I’m not gonna take it any more: cross Kelly”, former federal Liberal MP Craig Kelly wishes to have the freedom to “openly support using ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as coronavirus treatments”, despite contrary advice from all state and federal chief medical officers. Perhaps Kelly should accept the Nationals’ invitation? He could then join other disruptive and often irrational forces. On second thoughts, Australia would be better off if Kelly went his own way as an independent.

Douglas Mackenzie, Deakin. ACT