Barnaby sets spill countdown to Christmas, but he’s in no position to lecture Turnbull

Barnaby Joyce discusses Malcolm Turnbull’s position as Liberal leader. Sky News, Monday night:

You have an obligation not to drive your party or the government off a cliff.

Seriously? Joyce on ABC’s 7.30, February 7:

Leigh Sales: … you were the powerful boss and the woman was on your staff. If things had gone wrong, she was the person with everything to lose. Is that the right way for a boss to act?

Joyce: Well, I’m not going to go into all the iterations of a private relationship. And there’s nothing beyond the consensual. This is a private matter.

Joyce is telling another human being not to drive their party over a cliff? The former deputy prime minister on Sky News, Monday:

Towards the end, near Christmas, you’d have to start asking those around you, what do they believe is the proper course of action.

Seriously though? Joyce speaking in Canberra, February 16:

In regards to the National Party there is nothing we dislike more than implied intervention into the processes of the National Party.

We think he may be serious, folks. Joyce on Sky News, Monday:

Malcolm isn’t a fool, he’d know that himself. We’re stating here the bleeding obvious … no one wants to go to an election you know you’re going to lose.

Joyce has been iffy with the Prime Minister for a while. Turnbull’s then deputy in Canberra, February 16:

Comments by the Prime Minister yesterday at his press conference, I have to say that in many instances, they caused further harm … I believe they were in many instances inept …

But are you really telling people how best to resign, Barnaby? The Nationals MP on Sky News, continued:

If you honestly believe that (probably losing the next election) is the case, you must do something about it and do the honourable thing and start grooming an alternative.

Really? Joyce in Canberra, continued:

This (impregnating his former staff member) was a personal issue dragged into the public arena and I don’t believe people should resign in any job because of personal issues.

In other news, socialism is very bad. Tony Abbott at the Tasmanian Liberal State Council, October 26, 2013:

So let’s be under no illusions, the carbon tax was socialism masquerading as environmentalism.

Socialism just totally sucks, man. Abbott speaking to ABC Radio Brisbane, August 20, 2014:

The second stimulus package was unnecessary. It was Labor reverting to socialist type, if you like; it was big spending, big borrowing …

Except when socialism suits you. Abbott on Sydney radio station 2GB, Monday:

Governments should be very reluctant to compulsorily acquire assets but, let’s face it, this (Liddell coal-fired power plant) is an essential service … if a company is threatening an essential service, it is up to the government to take appropriate action.

What do Abbott’s colleagues think? Liberal junior minister Alex Hawke on Sky News, yesterday:

I think what does surprise colleagues a little bit is when some Liberals start to propose moving into territory that is akin to a socialist or a communist regime in nationalising assets. It’s something I reject.