I posted the following comments elsewhere (in a thread started by 'Matty') and was told that they were off-topic - so I've decided to start a new thread...


Quote:

Methinks that the NSW Libs will find that the renewal of Nats in the bush will be a double-edged sword - and one which the Federal Libs will also take as a mixed blessing... The NSW Libs have been forced to allow a large number of Nats into the decision-making fold - and this will doubtless cause some destabilising factional fights... The Federal Libs have enjoyed many years of subservience from the neutered Federal Nats - and their city-based puppeteers and powermongers won't be looking forward to the competition for funding, resources and power posed by any regional resurgence... The problem with Conservatives, is that they're doGmatic and each believes that they are 'born to rule' - and ironically this typically precipitates their political undoing... The marriage of the Libs and Nats is one of mere convenience - which makes for tumultuous relationships at all levels...

Meantine, Campbell Newman's antics are upsetting the flocking Queenslanders...


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/upstart-lnp-leader-campbell-newman-is-ruffling-feathers/story-e6frgczx-1226039663223


Quote:

Upstart LNP leader Campbell Newman is ruffling feathers    * Michael McKenna    * From: The Australian    * April 16, 2011 12:00AM   A FEW days after Campbell Newman dropped the bombshell last month that he was to lead the Liberal National Party at the next Queensland election, the former army major let slip a hand-grenade into his own ranks. Asked for a "plan B" premier out of the LNP parliamentary line-up, if the party won and he didn't in his battle for a seat, the then Brisbane lord mayor instead offered a plan C. With some LNP MPs already stung by his recruitment to lead -- a tacit admission by party bosses no one on the opposition benches is up to the job -- Newman fuelled the fire of dissent by suggesting another outsider, Ian Walker. No mention of his parliamentary boosters, opposition treasury spokesman Tim Nicholls or leader in the house Jeff Seeney. Newman's argument was that to take power, the LNP has to win a swag of seats in Brisbane, and there would then be a deeper pool of talent for the partyroom to elect a premier. It was an incendiary statement for the trio of the hard-fought state political arena given that Walker, a lawyer and candidate for the Brisbane seat of Mansfield, is a complete unknown. Related Coverage    * Newman denies LNP disunity after slur The Australian, 1 day ago    * Tensions mount after Newman reshuffle Courier Mail, 5 days ago    * Newman aids backers, axes foes The Australian, 5 days ago    * Newman plays from the gallery The Australian, 5 Apr 2011    * Campbell Newman leads from sidelines The Australian, 5 Apr 2011 While an attempt to deflect Labor attacks that Seeney, the pugnacious former Nationals MP, could end up being premier, Newman's touting of Walker exposed dangers to the LNP's bold gamble. The first is obvious. In the already presidential-style campaign, the popular, now former, lord mayor needs to convince Queenslanders that the LNP is ready to govern, and it will be him at the helm after captaining an election victory. To do that, he has to win and, as important, look like winning the leafy inner-Brisbane seat of Ashgrove, held by Environment Minister Kate Jones. At this early stage, it is only an even money bet that Newman, who lives in a neighbouring Labor electorate, will unseat Jones, a locally reared MP known for attending even the smallest community events. Insiders stress that despite the two-term MP holding Ashgrove with a healthy 7.3 per cent margin it is a closer contest, given the unpopularity of Anna Bligh and the fact the LNP ran a ho-hum candidate at the previous election, something not lost on locals. But the touting of Walker, a long-time friend, reinforces a possibly graver danger for the LNP: whether the party can remain disciplined up to the poll. Despite Newman giving star power and grunt to the LNP, there is a simmering resentment among some MPs to the parliamentary outsider and his omnipotent leadership. A perception that Walker, and other candidates and MPs close to Newman, will be given ministries ahead of opposition-weary veterans has some seething. Newman didn't soothe their fears this week when he announced a frontbench reshuffle that rewarded his supporters and ousted or demoted opponents. Six MPs -- including Lawrence Springborg -- lost out, with a decision to punish an even number from each of the former Liberal and National parties, in a move that confirms that traditional distrust and old allegiances still exist within the two-year-old merged LNP entity. For the past few weeks Newman has had good polling and the media profile of his switch to state politics on his side. It won't last. Some LNP MPs, not bound by the ALP's factional loyalties and threats of internal revenge killings, can't help themselves even with a victory in sight. The spectre of the ongoing preselections, which end late next month, has been held over the heads of the parliamentary wing by party bosses. Several of those thrown off the front bench are being targeted for forced retirement; others are just being made to feel some heat. Newman didn't help matters by announcing, while he was still lord mayor, his intention to junk and rewrite existing LNP policies. Party bosses have tried to quell anger among MPs and rank-and-file members, particularly old Nationals in the regions, that Newman was "caught on the hop" at a press conference and that he would be consultative. A few days later, those same party bosses gagged frontbenchers, banning them from having any sort of discussion with political reporters outside of sound bites. Newman may well be the answer for the opposition's repeated failures in defeating Labor, undeniably tired and battered from a slew of self-made crises. But, to do it, he needs to curtail his dictatorial style and convince his team that he is their man for the job.

Equitist wrote on Apr 17^th, 2011 at 2:55pm:

I posted the following comments elsewhere (in a thread started by 'Matty') and was told that they were off-topic - so I've decided to start a new thread... Quote: Methinks that the NSW Libs will find that the renewal of Nats in the bush will be a double-edged sword - and one which the Federal Libs will also take as a mixed blessing... The NSW Libs have been forced to allow a large number of Nats into the decision-making fold - and this will doubtless cause some destabilising factional fights... The Federal Libs have enjoyed many years of subservience from the neutered Federal Nats - and their city-based puppeteers and powermongers won't be looking forward to the competition for funding, resources and power posed by any regional resurgence... The problem with Conservatives, is that they're doGmatic and each believes that they are 'born to rule' - and ironically this typically precipitates their political undoing... The marriage of the Libs and Nats is one of mere convenience - which makes for tumultuous relationships at all levels...

I don't see why that should be a problem Thy...
The Coalition between the Liberals and Nationals has existed (in one form or another) since about 1922, so they should be used to sharing the decision process by now.....In that length of time there must have  been occasions when the Nats had the majority of seats, and when the Libs had the majority...usually they seem about even...

May be hard for the liberals but I have no doubt they will pull through. What is good though, is the voting public will/may get what they voted for. If liberals get through this, they will have much more respect around the country areas and will no doubt get voted in for many years by them. Stuuf the independents. We know that now.

The problem with Conservatives, is that they're doGmatic and each believes that they are 'born to rule'

What a load of tripe

That's like saying the problem with Socialists ......  each believes they are born to be subservient

Equitist wrote on Apr 17^th, 2011 at 2:55pm:

Quote: Methinks that the NSW Libs will find that the renewal of Nats in the bush will be a double-edged sword - and one which the Federal Libs will also take as a mixed blessing... The NSW Libs have been forced to allow a large number of Nats into the decision-making fold - and this will doubtless cause some destabilising factional fights... The Federal Libs have enjoyed many years of subservience from the neutered Federal Nats - and their city-based puppeteers and powermongers won't be looking forward to the competition for funding, resources and power posed by any regional resurgence... The problem with Conservatives, is that they're doGmatic and each believes that they are 'born to rule' - and ironically this typically precipitates their political undoing... The marriage of the Libs and Nats is one of mere convenience - which makes for tumultuous relationships at all levels...

You are soooo wrong on soooo many levels

And if you are going to throw rocks make sure of your own house

Start with the last point first

(1) Ruling class? Look at the history of the LIBs and ALP before making this comment. In addition - look at the ALP team - who's the richest in parliament at the moment? If a Lawyer works works for the LIBs then he's demonised with the "ruling class" moniker. But if the same lawyer works for the ALP then he's given the "working class man" moniker. So open both eyes equitist


(2) Power sharing between the LIBs and NATs. You sound as though this is the first time. NATs & LIBs have shared decision making for decades. If you are going to throw rocks then look at the Greens & ALP sharing arrangement. What a disaster that is and no condemnation from you so far!!