‘Shattered’ Liberals wrangle over future direction in wake of federal election defeat

Stuart Robert says Peter Dutton will lead the Liberal party well because he understands ‘aspirational’ voters. Photograph: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Defeated and returning Liberal MPs have both blamed Scott Morrison’s unpopularity for the federal election loss, but are split on whether and how to shift policy to win next time.

Liberal MPs who lost blue-ribbon seats to teal independents have cited the handling of climate, integrity and women as another source of Saturday’s defeat, suggesting the opposition should not obstruct Labor on these policy areas in the new parliament.