Taylor quit on Wednesday, criticising the lack of strong leadership, and announced his run to replace Sussan Ley as opposition leader after the May 2025 election loss.
Five frontbenchers, including James Paterson who praised Taylor as the party’s policy brain, resigned in support, leading to a spill motion for a Friday partyroom vote.
Ley hit back by vowing to pressure Labor on economy and security, amid polls showing the Liberals at risk of wipeouts with women and younger voters shifting away.
