Malcolm Turnbull’s highly damaging grab for the leadership of the Liberal Party has failed with the vote going 61-39 against the motion to hold a leadership vote. One abstention.

Abbot’s problem now is how to deal with the degree of dissent expressed in such a high vote for the spill. I hope the voter’s names are made public so we can know who was loyal to Abbott and who was not.

My view is this whole damaging event arose as a result of Turnbull’s manipulation. I think he should be expelled from the party and if this causes a showdown then well and good. The govt cannot continue to operate with Turnbull continually white anting Abbott. Its already happening right now immediately after the vote with Abbott’s media enemies doing all they can to suggest Abbott’s time is limited.