Paul Kelly Analyzes Decade of Decline for Liberal Party

Political historian Paul Kelly said internal ideological drift and a loss of moral direction caused the Liberal Party's recent decline.

This assessment provides a critical look at the structural failures of a major political force, suggesting that the party's struggles are rooted in a fundamental loss of connection with the middle class.

Kelly discussed these themes in an interview with ABC journalist David Speers for the program *Insiders: On Background*. The conversation centered on Kelly's new book, *The Twilight of Exceptionalism*, which serves as the third volume ^[3] in an informal trilogy charting modern Australian politics ^[2].

According to Kelly, the party experienced a downward spiral characterized by a crisis of conviction. He pointed to the decade between 2013 and 2022 ^[1]—the period during which the Liberal-National Coalition held office ^[1]—as the era that broke the party's momentum.

"I've never seen a crisis like the one facing the Liberal Party today," Kelly said.

Kelly, who has covered federal politics for more than 50 years ^[2], said the decline was not merely a result of electoral losses but a deeper systemic failure. He suggests that the party lost its moral center, failing to provide a cohesive vision that resonated with the broader electorate.

During the interview, Speers noted that the book traces the seismic shifts that sent the party into its current state. Kelly's analysis emphasizes that the internal friction and policy missteps during the Coalition's tenure created a vacuum of leadership and identity.

"The Twilight of Exceptionalism is the third volume in an informal trilogy charting modern Australian politics," Kelly said.