The Liberal Party has disintegrated into two very distinct groups, says Guy Rundle: Abbott’s old-style parochial moralisers, and urban small-l wets. The two couldn’t have less in common, and would be better served as two separate parties.
Liberal leadership
Shanahan: Newspoll, by-elections vindicate Abbott
Electing Tony Abbott as leader was a huge gamble for the Libs, but it’s paid off, with solid wins in the weekend’s by-elections, and some promising new polling figures out today suggesting voters are returning back to the Coalition, says Dennis Shanahan.
Newspoll: Libs, Abbott up
The first heavy duty opinion poll of the Tony Abbott era shows the Liberal Party’s primary vote up 3 points, and Abbott up 9 points as preferred PM on Turnbull’s polling last week, reports William Bowe.
Wright: Tony Abbott: more than just a humourless right-wing zealot
Don’t write Tony Abbott off as simply a one-dimensional conservative just yet, says Tony Wright: like most political high-achievers before him, there is likely a lot more than meets the eye.
Hartcher: How Abbott really won
No-one in the Liberal Party actually expected Tony Abbott to become leader — not even Abbott himself, explains Peter Hartcher. It only happened because Joe Hockey buggered it all up.
Libs take Higgins and Bradfield
The Liberal Party easily retained the seats of Bradfield and Higgins in the weekend’s Federal by-elections. Relive all the thrills and spills with Poll Bludger William Bowe.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The Pied Pipers of politics lead us astray
What can history teach us? That Turnbull was the right man for the job, writes Crikey’s readers.
Minister Barnaby Joyce?
Kevin Andrews approached Barnaby Joyce last week about a role on the front bench in the event of a leadership spill, reports Katherine Murphy. Andrew didn’t get the gig but role will Joyce play in the Liberal party’s future?
Will Turnbull form his own party?
With the Liberals moving further to the right, here lies the perfect opportunity for a new progressive small l liberal party to form and Turnbull is just the man to lead it, writes Kerry O’Brien (no, not that Kerry O’Brien…).
In many ways Abbott isn’t a conservative at all
Tony Abbott is a softie on many social issues, fiscally irresponsible and his Catholic background and righteous morality has influenced his political journey. He won’t last long but it’ll be a wild ride, writes Jack Waterford.
Schubert: Julie plays the loyal La Cucaracha
Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop won’t jump into the leadership brawl to claim the title, which wins her both ticks for loyalty and crosses for weakness. What are her motives? asks Misha Schubert.
First poll says Abbott a bonus for Labor
A look at the first polling reaction to Tony Abbott’s ascension to the Liberal leadership. So far it seems he is helping to increase votes. Votes to support Labor.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Liberal and climate ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Crikey readers weight in on the Liberal leadership change. Is change as good as a holiday? Plus, should the ETS have been rejected?
Crikey Says: No more lamenting for Malcolm
It seems we’ve misunderestimated Malcolm. He excels wonderfully at primary school politics.
Better to be bland than charismatic in politics?
If opposition leaders want to become prime ministers, calming personalities are the order of the day, writes Peter Brent. Which Tony Abbott is anything but. But luckily Joe Hockey is there, waiting in the wings for 2013.
Devine: It’s all a lie, the ladies love Tony
It’s a myth that women don’t like Tony Abbott, more women like him than men. It’s just hard nosed, pushy “abortion fundamentalists posing as feminists” that don’t, but luckily they’re just a minority, writes Miranda Devine.
Kelly: Abbott makes it up as he goes along
New Liberal leader Tony Abbot is being forced to make policy on the run, devising a “tax free” carbon policy overnight, says Paul Kelly. But can he think fast enough to give himself some policy credibility?
Sheridan: Being Catholic is not a sin
Tony Abbott is far from an extremist, even if much of the media is trying to depict him as one, writes long time Abbott pal Greg Sheridan. Rejecting the ETS isn’t extreme, it’s a good debate to have.
Is Abbott stark raving mad or just very clever?
The boxing Rhodes scholar who calls everyone mate may seem like an odd Liberal leader pick, but Tony Abbott is a pragmatic and strong leader even if you disagree with every word he says, writes Greg Craven.
leaked 
Turnbull vs. Bishop: the email flame war
Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop have had a bitter falling out, with Turnbull accusing her of voting against him in the leadership ballot. The ABC has the leaked emails in which he also accuses her of making “scathing attacks” on Abbott behind his back.
Crabb: Sly dog Turnbull plays tricks to the end
Just in case you needed any further proof that politics is about personality, not policy, just have a look at Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership spill. Not even Turnbull could save the party from itself, writes Annabel Crabb.
Abbott and women are an unholy mix
Tony Abbott describes himself as a ‘conviction’ politician, but many women only see an arrogant hardliner, writes Lena Bell. Can a man who makes Wilson Tuckey look like Germaine Greer really turn things around for the party?
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The Liberal leadership rum rebellion redux
There are historical similarities between the Liberal leadership turmoil and the William Bligh (a relative of Turnbull) rum rebellion. Hint: there’s a Minchin, and an Abbott, and a Bishop…
Guy Rundle: Abbott, God and the cosmopolitans
Crikey / Guy Rundle / Thursday, 3 December 2009
How do you know the conservatoriat’s landed? Because the whining continues even after the jet engines have been shut off.