Howard to the rescue in Wentworth as Libs stare into Turnbull void

Scott Morrison with former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull. Source: Twitter

John Howard’s intervention in Wentworth is a measure of the seriousness of the threat to the Coalition, a confirmation of Scott Morrison’s desperation to win and a condemnation of Malcolm Turnbull’s attitude towards the party that made him prime minister.

That the appeal, respect and regard Liberal voters have for Howard is being put on the line in a by-election for a Liberal seat held by 17 per cent shows the threat the Liberals see in Saturday’s vote.

The threat is not just losing a safe Liberal seat it is also about turning the Coalition into a precarious minority government and destroying the political momentum the Prime Minister built in recent weeks.

A Liberal loss on Saturday also raises the prospect of a general election — depending on independents — and holds Morrison hostage every time the bells ring for a parliamentary vote. What’s more, during the next few months when Morrison needs to produce policy and legislation to lay a foundation for the election he would be hampered by parliamentary deals and demands.

With so much riding on the result it is clear why Morrison has been so desperate to move on issues that may appeal to voters in Wentworth — GST funding for NSW, strident pro-Israel positions and the final removal of refugees, particularly children, from Nauru.

Morrison is not going to wonder “what if” after the by-election and is making no apologies for throwing everything at the electorate.

If Morrison wins against the odds he will have a Bill Shorten “Longman moment” when a by-election win consolidates his leadership, provides real momentum and justifies his desperate actions.

As Howard told Wentworth voters, “there is a lot at stake” and it is in the Liberal interest to play up the stakes and concerns.

If Morrison loses at least he can’t be accused of not trying and the anger within the Liberal party will be directed towards Turnbull because there shouldn’t be a by-election in which Howard and Julie Bishop had to fill the void left by his total absence as the former member and leader.