Senior Liberal rejects calls for candidates to have vote in leadership, as new polls shows dire results

Senior Liberal Peter Collier has lashed out at calls the party’s election candidates should get a vote on the leadership, saying they had to do their “apprenticeship” first.

Ahead of the final Liberal Party room meeting on Tuesday, The West Australian spoke to more than 15 Liberal candidates on the condition of anonymity, after Libby Mettam accused “cowards in the shadows” of undermining her leadership.

A majority of the current sitting Liberal MPs are backing Ms Mettam, dismissing the prospect of a spill motion at Tuesday’s party room meeting at State Parliament.

But some Liberals questioned that retiring MPs Donna Faragher, David Honey and Mr Collier— all of whom back Ms Mettam — were entitled to a vote while candidates whose political chances were on the line did not have a say on who would lead the party to the election.

Mr Collier slammed the calls for candidates to get a vote as “nonsense”.

“I’m in the parliamentary Liberal Party. They’re not. When they come into the parliamentary Liberal Party next year, they’ll have the opportunity,” he said.

“You don’t have someone that’s in the draft, come and play in the AFL — it doesn’t work that way. You got to do your apprenticeship.

“I love the Liberal Party, but it does frustrate me when you do get people, quite frankly, who aren’t rowing in the same direction.”

While some candidates stood by Ms Mettam as leader, others flagged the need to change to Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas.

Mr Zempilas — the party’s candidate for Churchlands and a Seven West Media employee — polled higher amongst voters in key, winnable seats compared to Ms Mettam.

One Liberal candidate urged retiring MPs to question; “is it my place to decide the future of the party’s leadership,” saying their position was “at odds” with a majority of candidates.

Another Liberal nominee also backed change: “It is increasingly clear that if we’re going to put the party in the best possible position and the best shot to win as many seats as possible, a change is needed.”

“It is not due to a lack of respect for Libby Mettam, everyone respects her work ethic ... but (Mr Zempilas) gives us a shot at actually winning next year.”

Another said that while Ms Mettam had worked heard “there’s no doubt the Liberal party would be better off if Basil takes over.”

Others expressed concern about the late change with just three and a half months to go until the March 8 election.

“The unintended consequences can be quite bad,” one candidate warned. Others were more vocal in their support: “Libby is a fantastic leader”.

“120 per cent behind Libby Mettam,” said another, and “Libby’s my leader”.