Fresh populist force emerges
(MENAFN) Recent political shifts in Australia hint at the potential rise of a new populist force. Following a crushing defeat in the federal election, the conservative Liberal/National coalition has been left in disarray, winning just 43 seats compared to Labor’s dominant 93-seat victory in the House of Representatives.
In a significant blow to the long-standing alliance, the National Party has refused to renew its coalition agreement with the Liberals – a pact that has held for decades. This split mirrors the current state of conservative politics in the UK, where a fractured opposition struggles to counter a Labour-led government.
However, unlike the UK, where Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has quickly grown into a powerful opposition force, Australia has yet to see the formation of a similar populist alternative, despite years of voter dissatisfaction with the conservative bloc.
This may soon change. In Britain, the Reform Party gained traction after Brexit, capitalizing on public discontent with a Conservative Party seen as ideologically indistinct from Labour and detached from the everyday concerns of ordinary citizens. Reform’s success in recent local elections and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election – where it overturned a massive Labour majority – has solidified its role as the primary opposition.
The party appeals to voters who feel abandoned by the political elite, blaming them for the cost-of-living crisis and cultural decline. Reform offers an agenda that includes abandoning net-zero goals, halting illegal immigration, dismantling DEI and gender programs, defending traditional values, ending involvement in foreign conflicts, and nationalizing critical industries.
This approach has resonated with an electorate seeking a clear break from establishment politics.
In Australia, the conservative coalition’s collapse suggests it no longer represents a viable political force. Since their electoral defeat, internal power struggles and public infighting have only worsened their image. With few exceptions, such as National Senator Matt Canavan, coalition leaders appear unwilling to confront the reasons behind their downfall.
As dissatisfaction grows and political space opens, conditions may now be ripe for a new populist movement to emerge in Australia, echoing the rise of Reform in the UK.
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