PM faces ‘devastating blow’ in Sydney vote

AUSTRALIA’S ruling coalition risks losing its parliamentary majority at a crucial by-election today that could deliver a “devastating blow” to Scott Morrison, the prime minister.

Polls indicated that the Liberal party could lose the conservative-leaning Sydney seat of Wentworth for the first time since the party was founded more than 70 years ago.

It would force the Liberal-National coalition to rely on cross-bench MPs to avoid a no-confidence vote and would place intense pressure on Mr Morrison ahead of a general election, due early next year.

The seat was previously held by Malcolm Turnbull, the former prime minister who was ousted by his party in August and subsequently resigned.

Voters in the seat have been appalled by the infighting that has led to the removal of four coalition and Labor leaders in the past eight years.

Mr Morrison was widely criticised for saying he would consider following Donald Trump in recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, widely seen as a bid to appeal to Wentworth’s sizeable Jewish vote.

A leaked internal Liberal poll showed Dave Sharma, the Liberal candidate and a former ambassador to Israel, trails Kerryn Phelps, his main rival, by 45pc to 55pc.

Mr Morrison appeared to be bracing for a loss, saying he was prepared to govern without a majority.