Angus Taylor is the new leader of the Liberal Party, challenging Sussan Ley after declaring he no longer has faith in her ability to lead the party. The move comes after months of speculation and Taylor’s resignation from the frontbench on Wednesday night, clearing the way for a leadership spill.
Taylor, the member for Hume in New South Wales, described the Liberal Party as being in its “worst position” since its formation in 1944. He believes a change in leadership is necessary to “protect our way of life and restore our standard of living.”
The challenge has been brewing for some time, with Taylor backed by the Liberals’ right faction after Andrew Hastie voluntarily withdrew from the race. Several Liberals have resigned from their frontbench positions, signaling growing support for Taylor’s bid.
Conservative heavyweight James Paterson described Taylor as “the smartest policy brain in the shadow cabinet” and a man of deep conviction. This isn’t Taylor’s first attempt at the leadership; he previously lost a challenge against Ley 29-25 following last year’s election defeat.
Taylor entered federal politics in 2013, bringing with him a background in law and economics from the University of Sydney, followed by a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford. Before entering parliament, he had a successful career as a consultant at McKinsey and Co and Port Jackson Partners.
He made a significant personal shift in 2011, leaving his Sydney mansion and relocating to Goulburn with his wife, Louise Clegg, and their four children, in anticipation of a run for the seat of Hume. This move proved successful, and he was elected as the local member in 2013.
Taylor’s political career has included roles as assistant to the prime minister, minister for cybersecurity and law enforcement, and minister for energy and emissions reductions. However, his time as shadow treasurer under Peter Dutton is not considered a resounding success, with some observers noting his difficulty in effectively challenging Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
While Taylor is seen by some as a conventional Liberal, representing the party’s traditional values, questions remain about his ability to lead the party through a period of significant challenge. He will face the task of uniting a party grappling with internal divisions and attempting to regain ground against a strong Labor government led by Anthony Albanese.
The leadership spill is expected to take place this week, with the outcome likely to shape the future direction of the Liberal Party. Taylor’s supporters believe he is the right person to lead the party out of its current predicament, while others question whether he has the vision and dynamism needed to effectively challenge the government.
