‘There’ll be nothing left of the Liberal Party’: Inside the downfall of Sussan Ley
Sydney Morning Herald
by Rob Harris, Paul Sakkal, James MassolaFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Sussan Ley’s tenure as leader of the Australian Liberal Party came to an abrupt end after just under two years, marked by a dramatic shift in support from key allies and fears of continued decline. By Thursday morning, her political fate was sealed when James McGrath, a close ally and member of her leadership team, informed her that her leadership was no longer viable. The decision reflected growing concerns within the party about its inability to stem a steady loss of voters since last May’s election defeat. Ley’s downfall was not driven by ideological disputes but by a pragmatic fear of extinction: if the party continued on its current trajectory, it faced potential obliteration in the next election.
The catalyst for this upheaval was an alarming arithmetic revealed by James Paterson, who highlighted that the party had lost over 200,000 voters monthly—a rate of more than 7,000 votes per day. This decline threatened not just marginal seats but even once-secure strongholds in regional areas and Queensland. The fear was no longer about incremental losses but about total collapse. McGrath’s decision to resign from the shadow cabinet and support Angus Taylor instead of Ley was seen as a significant betrayal, especially given his reputation for political acumen and loyalty.
Ley’s leadership had been criticized for failing to address the party’s existential crisis, with many questioning her ability to inspire and lead effectively. Her tenure lacked the dominance needed to reshape the party in a time of crisis. Internal conflicts within the Coalition, particularly with the Nationals, further exacerbated the situation, as Ley’s attempts to discipline dissenters backfired and deepened divisions.
The broader implications of this shift are significant for Australian politics. The Liberal Party’s decline threatens to reshape the political landscape, potentially altering the balance of power in Canberra. As the party grapples with its future, the focus will likely turn to rebuilding under a new leader and addressing the root causes of its electoral woes. This shakeup underscores the delicate dynamics within conservative coalitions and highlights the importance
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/14/2026