Some of Mark Speakman’s biggest supporters in the NSW Liberal Party have declared his leadership is “over” and expressed a sense of surprise and frustration that he is digging in.
Several moderate faction MPs have told the ABC they were shocked when Mr Speakman began a round of media interviews this morning, during which he declared he would have to be forcibly removed.
“If someone thinks they can do better, they’re welcome to knock on the door, put up their hands, roll their arm and see how they go,” he told 702 ABC Sydney.
“But in the meantime, I’m fighting on.”
One MP, who asked not to be named, said Mr Speakman’s stance was unexpected, because it had already been made clear to him that he no longer had the support of the partyroom.
“Even his closest supporters don’t think he can survive,” the MP said.
“Everyone knows it’s over except him.”Speakman cancels TV appearances
Three MPs, James Wallace, Chris Rath and Scott Farlow held talks with Mr Speakman last night following a function at parliament house.
Mr Speakman said he was not given a “tap on the shoulder” during that meeting.
However, Liberal sources have told the ABC they believed Mr Speakman understood his support had evaporated and they expected that he would stand aside.
When he did not, MPs made attempts to speak with him and encourage him to resign, but were unable to secure a meeting or phone call.
Scott Farlow (right) was one of the three ministers who met with Mr Speakman overnight. (ABC News)
Mr Speakman was due to hold a round of television interviews this afternoon, but they were first delayed and then cancelled.
Shadow Attorney-General, Alister Henskens, has been testing support among MPs for a potential challenge to Mr Speakman’s leadership.
The two men sat centimetres from each other in parliament during question time, during which government frontbenchers made quips about Mr Speakman’s perilous position.
‘Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated’
Shadow Health Minister, Kellie Sloane, has been resisting pressure from her colleagues to directly challenge Mr Speakman.
However, if Mr Henskens were to force a spill, she would be a likely contender.
Earlier today, Liberal MP Wendy Tuckerman publicly declared her support for the shadow attorney-general in the event of a leadership spill.
One Liberal MP has publicly voiced support for Alister Henskens to be leader of the Liberal party. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
She resigned from the frontbench earlier this year, citing frustration with the party’s energy policy.
Mr Speakman confirmed he met with Mr Rath, Mr Farlow and Mr Wallace, but said the trio would be “Kellie Sloane supporters” if the contest were against someone other than him.
But he said the three men left his office pledging their support to him.
“Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” he said.
Speakman says no-one has raised possible challenge
Earlier, Mr Speakman was digging in his heels despite speculation of a leadership spill as soon as today.
Speculation continues to mount that he may be challenged before the week is out, with several MPs telling the ABC they believe it is time their leader stepped down.
Some in the Liberal Party said polling suggested Mr Speakman had little cut through with voters, and an election may result in more lost seats.
But Mr Speakman said no-one had approached him officially to mount a challenge to his leadership.
Mr Speakman said Kellie Sloane, right, is “supportive”. (AAP: Bianca de Marchi)
“No-one has knocked on my door to tell me that,” Mr Speakman said.
“I haven’t had any discussion with Alister about the leadership.”
But he said he believed Ms Sloane was “very supportive”.
Falling dominoes
If a challenge were successful, Mr Speakman would be the second Liberal leader to be toppled this week, following the Victorian Liberal Party’s decision to replace former leader Brad Battin with Jess Wilson.
There has also been speculation about federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s stability in the job, but Ms Ley said on Monday she could guarantee she would lead the Coalition to the next election.
The NSW Liberals coalition partner, the New South Wales Nationals, also have a new leader, Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh, following the unexpected resignation of Dugald Saunders earlier this week.
The NSW Liberals deputy Natalie Ward would need to call an extraordinary meeting to spill the leadership this week, or receive a written request signed by 11 MPs.