Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Turnbull Triggers The Hundred Million Dollar Question

The Hundred Million Dollar Man has taken what he has long seen as his rightful inheritance. An over-achieving lawyer in the Hawke-Clinton tradition, Malcolm Turnbull's appointment is an event of significance for another reason.

The Liberal Party has appointed a liberal to be its leader.

A big picture liberal who undoubtedly sits at the left of his party on "social" issues. Up against a small-c conservative in Rudd, sitting as he does towards the right of his own part on matters social.

So the Hundred Million Dollar Question is:

Is it possible under Turnbull we will end up with a liberal opposition that is as, or more, socially progressive than the Labor Party?

Other big questions include will he get knifed at the first stumble, is yet another rhetorically brilliant barrister what the system needs, and will Spycatcher get republished?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think the answer is: "I doubt it". :)

The thing we need to remember here is that almost half the Lib partyroom did not vote for Turnbull. A certain proportion of those who voted for Nelson detest Turnbull and his republicanism and environmentalism. It will be interesting indeed to see how the Liberal caucus adapts to having a former head of the ARM in charge.