Jacinta Allan swamped by hostile voters a year after Dan Andrews ruled Facebook, X, Instagram

Dan Andrews’ replacement is being smashed on social media and has lost the former premier’s hard-core backers sounding an alarm bell for Labor hardheads worried Jacinta Allan’s popularity could be in freefall | WATCH HER CRINGIEST MOMENTS

Jacinta Allan has lost Dan Andrews’ hard core group of followers, sounding an alarm bell for Labor hardheads worried her popularity could be in freefall and her government imperilled.

The Victorian Premier is being trolled relentlessly on her social media accounts, with only limited support as anti-Labor voters condemn the government’s policy and political performance, personally attacking Ms Allan.

The response is in sharp contrast to her predecessor, who built up a cult following of hundreds of thousands of online apologists, his last post as premier in 2023 attracting strong support from his most enthusiastic backers.

Mr Andrews’ Facebook page still has close to a million followers, well over double Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while Ms Allan has attracted just 57,000 followers on her regular page, which is frequently swamped by anger and criticism.

The criticism is not absolute but has been noted by party strategists.

Stills from Jacinta Allen cat video showing a cat ‘touring’ the Metro Tunnel. Picture: Facebook

Jacinta Allan singing as she tours the West Gate Tunnel Project in a Facebook video. Picture: Facebook

Labor insiders are also questioning whether the quality of her social media is good enough, with some at times odd posts that include a grey cat being shown a tour of Melbourne’s new underground system and a clunky melody of songs while Ms Allan and two senior ministers - Danny Pearson and Harriet Shing — are showing off a new road.

Ms Allan has made a series of policy announcements on housing with a direct pitch at younger voters designed to kick-start the government which has been floundering under the weight of the cost of living crisis and a blown budget.

Published polls suggest Labor could be heading for defeat in 2026 but the government has been aided by Liberal Party incompetence, with Opposition leader John Pesutto awaiting the results of the Moira Deeming defamation case.

Melbourne University associate professor public policy social and political sciences Lauren Rosewarne said Ms Allan did not have the rusted on voters who coalesced around Mr Andrews.

The Liberal Party want a toxic and expensive nuclear reactor in Gippsland.

We're already getting on with building cheap and reliable renewable energy to power Victoria. pic.twitter.com/3ikjJF6PML

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) June 19, 2024

“Dan Andrews had a cult following. He was able to attract a group of zealous supporters,’’ she said.

Dr Rosewarne said some of the supporters had been so aligned it had become an obsession, swamping posts with support for Mr Andrews.

“And she (Ms Allan) doesn’t have it,’’ she added.

Liberal frontbencher James Newbury said there was a clear trend against Ms Allan.

“Victorians are saying loudly and clearly that Jacinta Allan is no Daniel Andrews,’’ he said.

“Part of the reason is that the premier doesn’t understand Melbourne. You can see that lack of understanding in her anti-city policy announcements and her weird social media.’’

While Ms Allan has the occasional support on social media, there is an on overwhelming sense of negativity.

Jacinta Allen dusted off this 90s gem to wish everyone starting their VCE exams today good luck. Picture: Facebook

A Halloween themed social media post on Jacinta Allan's X page. Source: X

A post this week where she published a photo of herself during her last year of high school, attracted strident criticism when she said she got a B in politics.

“I think your “B” in politics stands for Bankrupting the state. Or Below average leadership. Maybe it should stand for Bury the Suburban fail loop,’’ one poster said.

Another read: “Cute ! But are you not running a state? It’s not a primary school competition! Grow up. People are selling up and leaving our state.’’

A third post said: “i thought you would have dropped out of politics.’’

A Labor hardhead said that the signs were becoming increasingly clear that Ms Allan was in dire political trouble.

“There is an argument we are 18 months behind Queensland. I think it’s turned,’’ he said.

“There is a risk it’s going to be carnage for the next two years. Everyone is angry. Jacinta doesn’t have Dan’s political skills.

“It’s not the slick operation it was. In fact, it’s starting to look a bit sad and desperate. The social media campaigns are terrible.’’

Labor has been in power for 21 of the past 25 years but is confronting a wall of anger over housing affordability.

Labor has been in power for 21 of the past 25 years but is confronting a wall of anger over housing affordability.

Key to its strategy is encouraging more medium and high density apartments around train stations, a plan that has been debated for decades.

It has infuriated many existing home owners but opened up a political argument for Labor.