An unfortunate turn of events

Being overseas at the moment, I'd missed the fact that Lawrence Springborg had resigned at QLD Coalition and Nationals leader. This has to be one of the biggest steps backwards for conservative forces in the state in recent times. Springborg was a good leader - he was well respected and trusted throughout QLD, and was a premier in waiting - waiting for his Liberal Party counterparts to finally get it right. In Springborg, the Nationals had their last chance of another Nationals Premier of Queensland. They will never have a better chance than they did with Springborg. The status quo in Queensland will remain until the Liberal Party puts aside factional fighting and puts forwards some talented and promising politicians. A credible alternative premier will now need to be sourced from the Liberal Party - and none is forthcoming until the next election.

My prediction is that Anna Bligh will now claim succession to the role of Premier within the next term, and Beattie will retire as one of the most popular, but incompetent Premiers of all time. His legacy is not one that Anna Bligh should be looking forwards to inheriting, by any means! Unless a saviour figure emerges from the Coalition within the next term, will we see another 5 - 6 years of Labor government in Queensland.

Now if only Springborg had the will to fight it out as Opposition leader for another term....