Political turmoil as former Channel Nine star is poised to become the next NSW Liberal leader – as little known opposition leader falls on his sword

NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman will stand down as leader of the Opposition just hours after announcing he would ‘fight’ to remain in the top spot.

Speakman quit his position on Thursday after several moderate faction MPs earlier claimed his time was ‘over’.

The move is expected to make way for Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane to take over, with Wahroonga MP Alister Henskens also understood to have thrown his hat in the ring.

In a presser on Thursday afternoon, Speakman supported Sloane as his successor.

‘A day is a long time in politics. Half a day is a long time in politics. And even a few hours are a long time in politics,’ he said.

‘This morning the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the jacarandas were blooming and I was on breakfast radio and on TV and saying that I would be continuing as Liberal party leader at that stage.

‘No alternative candidate had come forward to tell me they wanted to be the leader. No colleague had said to me they thought it would be better if I resigned. 

‘But as I said, a day or even half a day or a few hours is a long time in politics.’

Daily Mail understands the leadership vote to replace Speakman will be held on Friday.

A senior Liberal MP, who could not comment publicly due to party rules, said Speakman’s leadership was over when he failed to act on the ‘ultimate act of treachery’ Henskens was rumoured to be going after the leadership.

‘The final blow to Speakman’s credibility was when Henskens was caught out for being treacherous and Speakman um’d and ah’d up until this very day over how to deal with it,’ the MP said.

‘Colleagues noticed how he failed to act and instead of action we got hand wringing which allowed Henskens to continue to stir up trouble and mischief.

‘Even when Henskens spoke to the right-wing caucus about his intention to challenge last week, Speakman’s paralysis continued.’

More to come…