The progressive politics of personal gibes and smears

When I heard that Peter Dutton was hot favourite my heart sank (“Dutton 2.0: I’ll be a gentler and caring me”, 26/5). He’s so serious, never smiles and, let’s face it, has about as much charisma as a plank of wood.

But maybe he is just the man the Coalition needs to lead it to the next election. He is a man who would regard the job of running the country as a solemn endeavour, insisting government decisions should advance the nation’s welfare, not retard it by clinging to trendy, feel-good policies.

Liberals wanting to move further to the left in the misguided belief that future victory lies in recapturing seats lost to the teals would be resisted by Dutton, who believes a leader should speak for the majority, not the cosseted few.

Scott Morrison was a good leader, but he tried too hard to make people like him. I doubt we will see Peter Dutton in a beauty salon washing a client’s hair or aping Anthony Albanese by going for the chic look in clothes to woo voters.

What we’d get from Dutton is a man dedicated to working in the best interests of the nation without fanfare, gimmicks or smiles. Well, maybe a smile or two now and again wouldn’t hurt.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

Anthony Albanese states that Tanya Plibersek made a mistake in her derogatory statements about Peter Dutton’s physical appearance. He said that there really should be no place for that sort of thing in politics. Apparently now all is forgiven and forgotten following her apology.

However, the damage to Dutton’s character has been achieved. This, of course, is gross hypocrisy on Albanese’s behalf. For the last three years Albanese has led the most severe personal attacks on the character of Scott Morrison.

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic

Janet Albrechtsen (“Reports of Libs’ death greatly exaggerated”, 26/5) brings the blowtorch of reality to the doomsayers who are crying for new policies, splitting the party and other fanciful nostrums.

Let’s get real here. In 1949 the Liberals won largely because Ben Chifley promised more food rationing. The Liberals promised to drop it. In 1975 they won because by then they had created a bogeyman out of Gough Whitlam and his errant resources minister, Rex Connor, who dared to want to borrow a billion dollars off market using an obscure middleman. No jam there for the mates in Collins Street. John Howard and Tony Abbott both won because Paul Keating was past his use-by date and out of tune with the electorate, as was Julia Gillard. Our policies have had little to do with our wins. But John Howard’s industrial relations policy was a major factor in his defeat.

So a great hand-wringing is only a waste of resources. Let’s move forward, sizing up the lie of the land. The only net zero the teals will be able to achieve is net zero in policy terms, as Labor has a majority in the lower house.

Don’t wait for them to share any credit with the teals. They’ve got the same rebuild job on their primary vote as the Liberals. And teals are now fair game; juicy birds, teals.

Paul Everingham, Hamilton, Qld

I’d add another electoral lesson to Michael Sexton’s assessment (“After the sound and fury: four electoral lessons”, 26/5): vitriol and personal nastiness against Coalition members is acceptable behaviour by many who self-identify as progressives. I’ve seen it in some art galleries, at professional development for teachers, on numerous occasions at festivals and sections of the media.

The biggest target this time was, of course, Scott Morrison; from the moment he won the previous election the mob went after him with a vindictive hatred centred around his faith. Christianity and Western achievements are core targets for those obsessed with the political deconstruction of a society that actually affords them the right to exist without understanding their responsibilities in a liberal democracy.

Glenn Marchant, Pascoe Vale, Vic

Apropos of Peta Credlin’s article (“Libs must return to first principles”, 26/5) and the ascension of the teals, it is worth reflecting on an observation by Gustave Flaubert: “The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletariat to the level of stupidity attained by the bourgeoisie.” The bourgeois of the now teal seats have set a new level. Perhaps, hopefully, the proles will rebel.

Kim Stanton-Cook, Collaroy, NSW