Splitsville – Whither the Libs and Nats?

On Australia’s conservative political parties:

Even though it only happened hours ago, there has already been plenty of ink spilled on the decision by the National Party to split from its 80-year coalition arrangement with the federal Liberal Party. The left-tilting Libs have been moving too far away from their more conservative counterparts. As one news item reports:

The federal Liberal and Nationals parties have split for the first time in decades after the country party could not secure policy commitments from new Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Sky News political editor Andrew Clennell revealed on Tuesday that a source inside the Nationals said there “will be no Coalition agreement”.

 

The split was later confirmed by Nationals leader David Littleproud who fronted the media and said the party had taken a “principled” decision to sit alone in the new parliament. “This morning, after the discussions that both Sussan Ley and I have had over the ensuing period, our party room has got to a position where we will not be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party after this election,” Mr Littleproud said.

 

“What we have got to a position is that the National Party will sit alone on a principled basis, on the basis of looking forward, not having to look back and to try and actually regain important policy pieces that change the lives of the people we represent.”

 

The Nationals leader said he had made it very clear to Liberal leader Sussan Ley that the newly independent Nationals would “remain committed to having the door open”. https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/no-coalition-agreement-liberals-and-nationals-fail-to-reach-coalition-agreement-paving-the-way-for-a-major-change-to-australian-politics/news-story/e76cca79cec9fd51a0d7718d7af8ee65

Obvious points of disagreement included things like Net Zero and nuclear energy, which Ley and the Libs are much more iffy on. In other words, most Liberals want to be Labor lite – and keep losing elections – while the Nats have a much more conservative and sensible stance on these and other issues.

But as I say, plenty has already been said on the split, and it is still early days, so we will have to see how things pan out in the weeks and months ahead. Much talk has already been heard concerning the future of the Nats and how they might deal with other smaller conservative parties.

Thus, some are talking about a merger between the Nationals and One Nation. Just one other proposal: Rowan Dean of the Australian Spectator just posted this “Time for a new National Conservative Party in Australia made up of the Nats, conservative Libs, One Nation, Libertarians etc. Repost if you agree.”

Numerous other such options will of course be proposed and explored in the coming days. Whether such things are feasible or desirable remains a moot point. And I have a bit of experience in thinking about such matters, and joining with others in discussions about them.

To cut to the quick, the trouble with most political parties, like too many Christian groups, is that there are too many egos, too many big personalities, and too many leaders wanting all the glory. For worldlings to do this is one thing, but so many parachurch groups and other Christian outfits are too hellbent on not working with others and sharing the work.

So whether it is the Nats now maybe toying with the idea of aligning with One Nation, or smaller faith and family parties seeking to work together, there are just so many barriers to this, mainly in the form of those wanting to be the top dog and get all the credit. It is a sad state of affairs – one that I have witnessed for quite some time now.

Every few years I will get invited to attend a meeting of leaders from various freedom, faith and family parties and groups, considering – once again – if some sort of alliance or coalition can result – perhaps a big super-party of all the smaller groups.

Everyone agrees that there are only so many slices of the pie to be had, and if the different groups could merge and join forces, they would have a better chance on election days. Lots of talk and discussion take place along with perhaps a bit of prayer, then everyone goes their way, and nothing really happens.

Good intentions, to be sure, but never any firm or lasting outcomes. As mentioned, a large part of the problem comes down to various leaders, all of whom are generally doing a good job. But who wants to give up leadership and submit to someone else?

Most of the strong personalities cannot easily countenance the thought of playing second fiddle to someone else. Egos and pride can often get in the way of these things. Simply think of a Pauline Hanson wanting to relinquish – or share – leadership with other strong leaders. Many One Nation workers and politicians have already left the party and gone independent.

And sometimes it just has to do with a leader of an organisation wishing to continue with what God had called them to do. Think of past leaders such as a Fred Nile who did such a good job, but were unlikely to have wanted to see the Christian Democrat Party more or less disappear into some amorphous mass. Many felt the call of God in their ministry, and could not see some sort of merger and the like happening.

Then there is the problem of some of these groups being mainly Christian, some being mainly secular, and some being a real mix of the two. Some of the strong Christian groups will feel that they are compromising if they merge or cooperate with non-Christian groups.

And some of the more non-religious groups may well feel out of place working with believers. Simply being in a meeting that begins with prayer might put some of these folks off. And even if it were just a lot of Christian groups considering cooperation, the Lord knows how many divisions there are within the Christian world!

And then there is the issue of some of these smaller parties who are doing somewhat well – even though their candidates are not winning any or many seats. Lyle Shelton for example will want to keep Family First going, and is unlikely to seek to join with other parties.

These and other problems seem to make any sort of cooperative effort or merger rather unlikely. They have been tried in various ways over the decades and little has come of it – at least anything lasting and of value. So a lot of thought and prayer is needed for those still wanting to explore such paths.

In addition to having many smaller conservative groups and parties, or one supergroup conservative party, a third option might be possible. That is to have a broad coalition of like minded groups, but let each one maintain its own identity, its own leaders, its own finances, and its own membership, and so on.

How exactly this might work out in practice, and whether it is even achievable remains to be seen. It seems far too nebulous and airy fairy to offer any real concrete hope. But tough times call for tough decisions, and that includes thinking outside of the box.

The three options I looked at here are not exhaustive. There are likely other options that can be explored. But a few things we do know. Unless the conservatives stay conservative, and stand on principle, they look to have little or no political future.

They must not succumb to the siren call of the media and the commentariat to keep shifting left. We already have three leftwing parties: Labor, the Greens, and the Teals. Australia does not need a fourth leftist party. It needs politicians with principle, conviction and guts, who will stand strong, and take on the left, woke behemoth.

So the concerned Christian can at least pray that some of these folks keep on keeping on, and for others to grow a backbone. Weeding out dead weight and the Turnbull traitors would be a start. Pray for the Matt Canavans, Ralph Babets, Andrew Hasties, and Alex Antics and others who are still solid and certain.

And the concerned Christian will also bear in mind that at the end of the day politics can only take us so far. Politics is very important, but it cannot save. Only Jesus can. If this political turmoil gets more believers on their knees, and seeking God a whole lot more, that will be one good outcome.

To quote the memorable words of Jerry Lee Lewis, there’s a whole lotta shakin’ going on. So all this upheaval in the political realm can be a good thing, if it gets those on the conservative side of politics to try to get their act together, and if it gets Christians to get much more real as disciples of Christ.

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