Liberal frontbencher James Paterson has cautioned the Coalition against leaning into its ongoing ideological split.
Paterson said the Liberal Party must resist the “false choices” facing it and end “the ongoing mass public therapy session” to repair reputational damage.
According to Paterson, a more progressive agenda would create “a soulless, hollow party which spoke to only the narrowest material aspirations of Australians”, while embracing “Farage-lite” conservatism would precipitate “a new nationalism of picking winners and turning our backs on free trade”.
The call for unity comes as the fracturing of the Liberal right has created chaos within the party.
Author's summary: Paterson urges Liberal Party unity.