Old wounds reopen after reports WA Liberal MP considering jumping ship
Geraldton MP Ian Blayney has gone to ground after reports he is considering abandoning the Liberal Party to join the Nationals in a move that would reignite old animosities between the two parties.
But Mr Blayney was still a member of the Liberal Party as of Tuesday evening, according to sources, and a membership application had not been received by Nationals head office.
The swap could improve Mr Blayney’s chances of holding the seat, which he has held since 2008 and won narrowly against Labor in 2017 after a 21.5 per cent swing against him.
The defection would come ahead of Opposition Leader Liza Harvey’s first WA Liberal conference this weekend and would be seen as a blow to her ambition of restoring a productive working relationship with the Nationals.
The move was also expected to cause ructions within the Nationals as the ambitions of party members keen to stand against Mr Blayney in the seat could be thwarted.
Ms Harvey and Liberal State Office did not comment on the speculation.
WA Nationals leader Mia Davies was contacted for comment.
Mr Blayney did not respond to requests for comment.
Former Nationals MP and candidate for Geraldton Paul Brown said on social media Mr Blayney had been told he wouldn’t be pre-selected for the 2021 election by local Liberal Party members.