Thread by @nickmackinnon2

With news that Dutton will run uncontested for leadership, I would like to say a word or two about conservatism. There was much talk this election of the Liberal Party becoming more “conservative” as it veers to the right, but I disagree. Conservatism is about: 1/

FAMILY, COMMUNITY and NATION, along with the INSTITUTIONS that hold these together. The Libs have shown disdain for all of these. We see their contempt for the FAMILY unit in their handling of the Biloela Family, refusing to give a child the same visa as her parents. 2/

Their disdain for COMMUNITY can be seen in every Teal seat. The number of LNP candidates that refused to attend local voter’s forums, the dirty attacks on candidates and volunteers, and their failure to listen shows that the party sees itself above communities. 3/

The politicisation of defence and diplomatic relations shows that our leaders put their careers ahead of the NATIONAL interest. Domestic politicking around subs damaged both our European and USA relations. Solomon Islands is a fiasco; the election day texts appalling. 4/

INSTITUTIONS... where do I start. The rorts? ASIO? Use of ministerial discretion to override the courts? The abuse of the Hansard? Leaking of diplomatic messages? Undermining the ABC in favour of the Murdoch press? Stacking the AAT? A tweet only has so many characters... 5/

So what is going on?
There are 2 types of “conservatives”:
Those who look back at all that our forebears have achieved, feeling pride and a duty to continue their great work, and those who look back with entitlement, demanding the respect their ancestors earned; 6/

Those who believe the best indicators of success should be hard work and talent, and those who value a surname higher. Those who know a party is only as valuable as the principles that it represents, the values it holds, and those who see a Firm and a brand. 7/

Those who learn from history so as to sculpt a vision for the future, and those who cling to the past and fear what tomorrow brings; Those who see threats like climate change and take action to defend our way of life, and those who refuse to acknowledge the threat. 8/

There are those who in difficult times take the things that unite us and forge from them a community that can move mountains, and there are those who seek to divide, and save their tribe at the cost of others; 9/

There are those who mourn the loss of their culture and fight to protect minorities from the same fate, and there are those who only see otherness in a foreign language, religion or culture. 10/

I could clearly go on, but put simply, there are conservatives who are driven by duty, pride, service and respect, and those who are driven by cynicism, entitlement, self-interest and spite; A modern Australian conservatism, and one that will be consigned to history. 11/

Two thoughts from when I joined #Mon4Kooyong and did my "Voter Voices" interview:
Firstly, I described my brand of conservatism and was asked "Aren't those just everyday values?"
Secondly, I gave my critique of the Government and was told it was the harshest yet. 12/

If you look at the Volunteers who put the most blood, sweat and tears into the campaign you will find many former Liberal members and vollies who, disgusted at their values being betrayed and desecrated, fought with the zeal of converts to bring Frydenberg down. 13/

I give a warning: If the LNP's trajectory continues our ranks will only grow; If this election was about a course correction, the next will be about taking the party down, leaving any remaining MPs to squabble over extremist scraps with the likes of PHON & UAP.
14/14

@BridgetArcherMP, @Birmo, please take the time to read. You will be pivotal in deciding whether there can be change from within or if we continue change from without.