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Jul. 28th, 2008 03:22 pmMungo, from today's Crikey:
I think it was in 1970 that I first predicted the demise of the National Party, then the Australian Country Party.
[...]
Obviously in the early days of Federation a party to represent the special interests of the outback made sense and it could not be denied that the Country Party, under the formidable leadership of such men as Sir Earle Page, Sir Arthur Fadden and Sir John McEwen had been an important force in Australian politics, at times vital in keeping the mainstream conservative party – Liberals, Nationals, United Australia, now Liberals again -- in power. But now its support was eroding on all sides, and its days were clearly numbered.
[...]
It is true that the party isn’t what it was in 1970. Its parliamentary strength has declined, and it has changed its name to the Nationals, although the only perceptible benefit is that its youth branch can now line up with the Young Libs and the Young Labs without embarrassment. "I’m a Young Nat" sounds much better than the previous version.
I think it was in 1970 that I first predicted the demise of the National Party, then the Australian Country Party.
[...]
Obviously in the early days of Federation a party to represent the special interests of the outback made sense and it could not be denied that the Country Party, under the formidable leadership of such men as Sir Earle Page, Sir Arthur Fadden and Sir John McEwen had been an important force in Australian politics, at times vital in keeping the mainstream conservative party – Liberals, Nationals, United Australia, now Liberals again -- in power. But now its support was eroding on all sides, and its days were clearly numbered.
[...]
It is true that the party isn’t what it was in 1970. Its parliamentary strength has declined, and it has changed its name to the Nationals, although the only perceptible benefit is that its youth branch can now line up with the Young Libs and the Young Labs without embarrassment. "I’m a Young Nat" sounds much better than the previous version.
