Liberal Party moves to expel Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley

The Liberal Party is facing internal turmoil after a move to expel a 33-year party veteran. Find out why.

City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley at Rosny. Picture: Chris Kidd

In a shock move, the Liberal Party has attempted to expel Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley, one of its most senior and long-serving members.

But Mr Blomeley says his expulsion is “illegal” and he has called a special meeting of the Franklin electorate committee, which he chairs, on April 11 for members to have their say.

In an email to Franklin Liberals on Thursday night, party president Michael McKenna said under the party’s constitution, Mr Blomeley’s membership had “ceased” due to comments he made to the media during the state election campaign, where he did not rule out running as an independent.

“I acknowledge that Mr Blomeley has been a long-time servant of the Party, and it is important to note that under Clause 33 b) he may at any time apply to the State Executive to re-join the Party,” he wrote.

“Nonetheless, as the position of Chair is now vacant, the Constitution requires State Executive appoint a new Chair until the Franklin AGM, due to be held later this year.

“Any member of the Franklin Electorate may nominate to serve in this role, and can do so by completing the attached form and returning it to the Secretariat before 12 Noon, Friday 12 April 2024.”

Mr Blomeley this morning sent a lengthy email to members saying “the pretext of my expulsion is absurdity on steroids”.

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It is a matter of regret that after having suffered a 12 per cent swing against us at the recent State election, the State President has immediately engaged in an amateurish attempt to distract attention from that result by asserting I have been expelled from the Party to which I have devoted 33 years of my life,” he said.

“Creating this unnecessary, unprecedented, and hugely unprincipled furore, will not distract from the responsibility which lies at the feet of his leadership.

“I have been advised the President’s actions are wholly illegal and therefore of no effect.

“To those countless members who have already messaged me expressing disbelief and outrage, be assured I’m most appreciative of the support and the fact that you have seen through the shallowness of the President’s attempt to expel me.”

In the email, Mr Blomeley, who missed out on becoming president to McKenna by a handful of votes, said he had been contacted by many people asking to run again as president.

“To seek to expel me is the ugly Labor way of playing politics,” he wrote.

“Such activity and manipulation has no place in our party. With your support we will make sure it doesn’t.

“The simple fact is that at no stage have I, nor did I, nominate for a seat in the Parliament.”

After being asked if he would run as independent Mr Blomeley issued a statement the next day that he was loyal to the party and would not run.

“If as the President falsely asserts my comments led to my automatic immediate expulsion, how come I was treated as a full member of the Party and called upon to help throughout the campaign thereafter?” Mr Blomeley said.

He encouraged members to ignore Mr McKenna’s request for nominations for the position of electorate chair, “as no vacancy exists”.

Originally published as Liberal Party moves to expel Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley