With record low approval ratings, and a persistent failure to pass its budget measures, the Coalition government is in trouble. However, blaming its poor performance on ideology is wrong, and ought to concern all Australians.

According to a recent article in the Australian Financial Review, Liberal Party federal director Brian Loughnane and Nationals counterpart Scott Mitchell recently spoke to cabinet about their performance and future strategy; the key messages were “no more distractions”, “no more ideology”, “stick to the middle” and “slow things down”.