Polls- Never Definitive, but an Indicator

Tony DeLorger © 2016

Derived from questioning a cross-section of society, both geographically and socio-economically, polls can in no way predict political outcomes, but they certainly show trends and can indicate when all is not well. Malcolm Turnbull entered the leadership role not voted in by the Australian people but by deposing the then Prime Minister Tony Abbot. Although he had become unpopular through making some hard economic decisions and several faux pas which gave the media a field day, the masses seemed to embrace the new PM and the honeymoon period ensued.

But reality soon intervenes, and some months later Turnbull's miraculous polling results for preferred leader and Primed Minister have gone to virtually 100% down to 50%. Considering that Turnbull's opposition is Bill Shorten, the most inept leader in Australian political history, and who no-one in their right mind would vote for, a 50% share really says something. Although Turnbull still holds the reigns as our PM, the parties are both on an even keel. That must be a huge kick in the guts for the Liberals.

Malcolm Turnbull is an opportunist, joining the Liberal Party because he believed not in their policies but as the only way he could become the Prime Minister. He was right, but is he up for the job? I believe the Australian public are now seeing a man who can't make up his mind, is too afraid to make decisions and who can play the political games and talk his way out of anything. But is that what we want? What has the man done for our country? Virtually nothing.

I believe that this man is a pretender, and not a loyal one at that. I also believe that the public are figuring this out, which isn't good for the Liberal Party. Labour are of course scratching their heads, wondering what to do with Shorten, the most unpopular poli in history. Get rid of him, for God sake, he'll take Labour nowhere.

So what have we got, we, the people of Australia? It feels like we're all caught between a rock and a hard place. Replacing Abbot was a mistake, and although he had a rough patch, he would have risen above it, because he was doing the right thing for the country, which at the time, no-one recognised. Parties imploding and deposing one another does not create any kind of political stability, and that's what we're now seeing.

This coming election is going to be very interesting.