Irate Liberals are far from forgiving of Nats leader David Littleproud

A growing number of Liberal MPs hope Michael McCormack challenges for the Nats leadership, arguing that the Coalition can only be united if David Littleproud is replaced.

David Littleproud and Michael McCormack.

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A growing number of Liberal MPs are hoping Michael McCormack challenges for the leadership of the Nationals, saying the Coalition can be united over the next term only if David Littleproud is replaced.

Moderate and conservative Liberals told The Australian they had lost all respect for Mr Littleproud after he tried to blow up the Coalition agreement, with one saying the Nationals leader was a “dead man walking”.

Another MP said Mr Littleproud was the “antithesis” of what was required to be a senior member of the shadow ministry.

Another point of frustration within the Liberals is the delay in Mr Littleproud signing off on the Coalition agreement, although sources said it was on the cusp of being signed on Tuesday night.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley wanted to announce the shadow cabinet this week, with Jacinta Price a chance of being dumped from shadow cabinet and into the outer ministry after she defected from the Nationals to back Angus Taylor as Liberal leader.

While Mr Littleproud said he would convene the Nationals partyroom to have Ms Ley’s response to the four policies formally endorsed, no meeting was scheduled as of Tuesday night.

With the Nationals leader hoping to visit flood-affected areas on Wednesday, questions have been raised over when the negotiations can be progressed, given Ms Ley is due to attend her mother’s funeral this Friday.

Nationals MPs say there is no reason to convene the partyroom again and there was speculation the deal was finalised on Tuesday.

A demotion of Senator Price has been considered, given expectations Ms Ley will promote MPs who backed her for the leadership. This includes NSW senator Andrew Bragg and Goldstein MP Tim Wilson, who are pushing for economic portfolios, complementing new shadow treasurer Ted O’Brien.

Conservative Liberals were at the weekend trying to talk Ms Ley out of demoting Senator Price.

While he was largely seen as ineffective when deputy prime minister, Liberal MPs believe Mr McCormack is the right fit for Nationals in a period where the Coalition needs to be “listening” rather than being provoked.

“We can’t be doubling down,” one Liberal MP said.

The Australian understands there have been discussions between Nationals and Liberals MPs over Mr Littleproud’s leadership, with frustration growing within the bigger party after he boasted on Monday night he “stared the Liberal Party down”.

“You know who wouldn’t behave like this? Michael McCormack” one senior Liberal said.

Mr McCormack has remained coy about leadership prospects, saying he has “no plans” to trigger another internal contest with Mr Littleproud.

Coalition MPs are bracing for a civil war over the next 18 months, with conservative Liberals and Nationals set to push for Ms Ley to walk away from net-zero emissions by 2050.

Moderate MPs will strongly resist a push to drop net-zero and push the Coalition to go more ambitious on climate change.

A key appointment will be the energy and climate change spokesman, with some Liberal MPs suggesting Dan Tehan would be a good pick for the role.