National

Leadership on line in Taylor-made move to stitch up Ley

Feb 13, 2026

Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor (file images) — Liberal MPs will meet to decide whether Sussan Ley or Angus Taylor leads the beleaguered party. -AAP Image

A new Liberal Party leader could soon emerge as Angus Taylor prepares to lock horns with the party's first female head in a special party room meeting.

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Mr Taylor's resignation from Opposition Leader Sussan Ley's front bench on Wednesday signalled the first step in his challenge for the party's top job.

Liberal MP Phil Thompson's resignation from the shadow NDIS portfolio followed on Thursday, with he and Senator Jess Collins writing to Ms Ley to request a special party room meeting.

The leadership meeting is scheduled for 9am on Friday.

After Mr Thompson's resignation, Mr Taylor used an Instagram post to declare he was running to take the party's top job.

"Our country is in trouble. The Labor government has failed and the Liberal Party has lost its way," he said

"I'm running to be the leader of the Liberal Party because I believe Australia is worth fighting for."

Mr Taylor believes he has the numbers to win the leadership.

Nine MPs and senators quit Ms Ley's front bench on Thursday, including Michaelia Cash, Matt O'Sullivan, Jonno Duniam, Leah Blyth, James Paterson, Claire Chandler, James McGrath and Dan Tehan.

Mr Tehan said he would run for the party's deputy during the spill motion.

Ms Ley has not spoken publicly about the impending spill, instead publishing a series of social media posts in which she offered a "better future" and that "we will ease the squeeze".

While speculation over threats to her tenure started in late 2025, Liberals began openly contemplating a leadership change after a Newspoll published in The Australian on Monday, showing the coalition slipped to a primary vote of 18 per cent.

At the same time, support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation surged to 27 per cent.

Senator O'Sullivan said the polls were clear and change at the top was needed.

"This impasse has to be dealt with this week," he told reporters in Canberra.

"Angus Taylor will be able to present a very strong and compelling vision to the Australian people."

But senator Paul Scarr backed Ms Ley, saying she had shown "great resilience, great grace, since she was elected".

"Her response to the Bondi terrorist attack showed wonderful leadership," he said.

"Sussan has earned my loyalty. I thank her for the opportunity she gave to me."