Nationals’ leadership ructions a spill too far

The Nationals have taken the saying imitation is the sincerest form of flattery too far.

Watching on as the Liberal Party pulled itself apart over the leadership spat, some in the Nats thought: “Well, I’ll have some of that.”

The open discussion of Michael McCormack’s tenure as Nationals leader and Deputy PM by his mostly Queensland MPs just days out from the Wentworth by-election has Government supporters slapping their heads in exasperation.

McCormack may not be the household name that Barnaby Joyce became. But then, Joyce’s name has become a punchline for some and a lightning rod of anger for others — particularly female members of the National Party.

And, as McCormack pointed out yesterday, Barnaby - for all this political cut through - left behind some major policy problems that he and others are still tidying up.

The concern about the Government holding up to 10 marginal seats at the next election has got the Nationals looking at their first direct leadership challenge since 1989.

Some Libs have complained about the timing of the Nationals gazing at their leadership navel.

Of course, the Nats have pointed out that Wentworth was caused by the Libs own leadership stupidity.

They’ve also pointed to the past few days as evidence of the way the craziness of Turnbull’s demise continues to haunt the Government.

It’s almost as if putting MPs in close proximity to each other causes a shutdown in their normal mental thought processes.