This was inspired after reading this article in the Sydney Morning Herald:
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/malco...he-wasnt-allowed-to-lead-20160705-gpyrmc.html
The article argues quite convincingly that Malcolm Turnbull was always a poor fit with the Australian Liberal Party, which, confusingly to non-Australians, is conservative. Turnbull, like many in his class, leans rightish on economic policy but leftist on social/ cultural issues.
However, when he started his career in 1981, the Australian Democrats were still in existence. And in terms of policy they are a much better fit. Supposing he had joined that party? He wouldn't have been PM, though his tenure in that office has been nothing to write home about, but he could have given the Democrats a boost and maybe prevented their collapse.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/malco...he-wasnt-allowed-to-lead-20160705-gpyrmc.html
The article argues quite convincingly that Malcolm Turnbull was always a poor fit with the Australian Liberal Party, which, confusingly to non-Australians, is conservative. Turnbull, like many in his class, leans rightish on economic policy but leftist on social/ cultural issues.
However, when he started his career in 1981, the Australian Democrats were still in existence. And in terms of policy they are a much better fit. Supposing he had joined that party? He wouldn't have been PM, though his tenure in that office has been nothing to write home about, but he could have given the Democrats a boost and maybe prevented their collapse.