The Coalition must re-engage with conservatives

The latest Newspoll shows the Coalition primary vote is still about 10 per cent off what it received at the 2013 election when sound conservative policies were on offer.

The Coalition has had its dalliance with trying to be a so-called centrist party under Malcolm Turnbull. As Graham Richardson might say, the mob worked out that being a centrist means not standing for anything.

To Bill Shorten’s credit, that is not an accusation one could make of Labor under a leader who has clearly nailed his colours to the mast.

On the other hand, Scott Morrison continues to try to please everyone. Conservatives recognise a politician without conviction when they see one and will continue to bleed support from the Coalition for as long as they continue to feel disenfranchised. The Coalition will not be re-elected in its own right unless, and until, it re-engages with that conservative base and recoups that missing 10 per cent.

John McLeod, Sunshine Coast, Qld

It is becoming evident that Australia is at a critical time of change. Voters are becoming more critical of all parties, treating all politicians with suspicion; there appears to be a lack of trust in the political process.

Should we cast our fate to the wind and embrace alternate energy, or should we embrace the mining and agricultural industries that have stood us in good stead for so many years? And support for minor parties is growing every election. This only makes the governance of our nation more difficult, with both main parties having to water down policies to have bills passed.

Bill Glasson, Buderim, Qld

The last time the electorate was duped into voting for outrageous Labor policies, which ended in despair three years later, was in 1972. The focus for securing votes was little more than a slogan — “it’s time”.

Alas, too many champagne-loving toffs agreed with the idea of having a change of government for change’s sake. How they regretted their stupidity in the months that lay ahead. For 12 months everything seemed like beer and skittles, but a property crash and a downturn in the economy ensued in 1974 and by the end of 1975 Labor was on the ropes, trying to govern with dodgy foreign loans and without the authority of parliament, and then booted out of office with the Coalition securing huge majorities in both houses.

To some extent one can see history repeating itself in the electorate of Warringah. The champagne-loving set, who would normally support the Coalition, are being fooled by a carefully orchestrated campaign, devoid of sound principles, into removing a brilliant parliamentarian under the puerile slogan — “vote Tony out”.

Peter R. Graham, Sydney, NSW

Chris Mitchell correctly comments that Zali Steggall is having too easy a run from commentators in the federal seat of Warringah (“Few hard question as the friendly commentariat boosts Steggall”, 8/4).

That Tony Abbott should be having such a fight to retain his seat makes me wonder at the gullibility of Warringah voters. Steggall, however, sails along with Tim Flannery thinking that a series of stunts will let her magically acquire the power to change the climate.

Some responsibility for a lack of support for Abbott lies on the shoulders of Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg who failed to put Abbott in a ministerial post. For me, this casts considerable doubt on their political wisdom.

Donald Munro, Taringa, Qld

With some good news coming the Coalition’s way, just watch Bill Shorten’s backflips, sideways moves and contradictions as he positions himself to take the Lodge. Scott Morrison will continue to play with a straight bat. As commendable as this is, it could work against him. These days, it seems. The truth is irrelevant when it comes to politics. Remember Mediscare?

John George, Terrigal, NSW

True Liberals are the backbone of this country and have never been disunited. Granted, some have got a sore lower back bending over and picking up the tab, but haven’t given up — even with the biggest megaphone in the country, the ABC, which has influenced the rise of the Greens, the slippery left turn of the Labor Party, and the creation of a backlash against One Nation. Our national broadcaster indeed, but it still has the best shows when it doesn’t show its bias.

Kon Parris, North Parramatta, NSW