Andrew Hastie rules out challenging Ley, paves way for Angus Taylor
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The news: Liberal backbencher Andrew Hastie has ruled out running for the leadership, paving the way for fellow conservative Angus Taylor to challenge incumbent Sussan Ley.
The context: A day after meeting Taylor face-to-face in Melbourne, Hastie released a statement confirming he does not have the numbers needed to topple Ley — but reiterated his desire to one day serve as leader.
Hastie said on Friday that "having consulted with colleagues over the past week and respecting their honest feedback to me, it is clear that I do not have the support needed to become leader of the Liberal Party".
“On this basis, I wish to make it clear I will not be contesting the leadership of the Liberal Party," he said in a statement.
Throughout the week, Ley’s backers had dismissed the conservatives’ efforts to consolidate around a consensus candidate, with Hastie and Taylor at an impasse over who should challenge.
Hastie’s decision will enable the conservative faction to swing behind Taylor, the party’s defence spokesman and former shadow treasurer.
In recent weeks, Taylor and Hastie have been pushing for conservative support and Ley’s leadership has appeared on the brink.
Parliament will return next week, with Liberal MPs to meet in a partyroom meeting which could see members push a spill motion to vacate the leadership.
In a Monday morning meeting of the Nationals partyroom, backbencher Colin Boyce will also challenge leader David Littleproud, though is expected to fail.
Earlier on Friday, Ley unveiled a temporary Liberal-only frontbench after last week’s Coalition breakup. The short-term arrangements will see current Liberal frontbenchers assume additional responsibilities for the coming sitting, with a view to Ley appointing more permanent replacements by the following week.
What they said: “I’ve previously stated that I would welcome the opportunity to serve my party and our country as leader of the Liberal Party,” Hastie said.
The source: Andrew Hastie media statement
