Death knell for Liberal Party?

John Hewson’s column last week (“Disunity is still death”, April 9-15) raises an obvious question: Could the predicted death be that of the party itself? True, Scott Morrison’s rancour-riddled leadership has rolled out the welcome mat for independent candidates, their grassroots support coming from disenfranchised Liberals. Equally true, electorates that have chosen independent representatives have tended to stick with them, and in the case of Indi, pass on the baton. Friends in that region tell me the seat has become blue-ribbon independent.