After NSW election loss, Liberal party ponders a change of leader – and a possible change of direction

Mark Speakman, former NSW attorney general, is the leading moderate in the race, but some fear he is too much of a ‘nice guy’. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

Factional power, the competition for the ideological soul of the New South Wales Liberal party and pragmatic considerations about toughness are likely to be on display as the party considers who should succeed Dominic Perrottet as leader after the election defeat last Saturday.

Most Liberal MPs spent Tuesday scrutineering, and the results of tight seats could play into the leadership.