The aftermath of the Wentworth by-election has shaken up Australian politics. The election of Dr Kerryn Phelps in a blue ribbon Liberal seat has led to a renewed interest in independent MPs as a more local, less partisan and more community focused alternative, encouraging other campaigns.
At first glance, the move towards electing independent MPs seems to be a repudiation of attempts to mimic right-wing populism and a vote for small l liberalism. But it shares more with populism than many care to admit. If we understand populism as centred around representing 'the people' against an existing, unrepresentative elite rather than a specific ideology rooted in nationalistic discontent against immigration and globalised trade, it becomes clear.
The election of these independents are in fact a moral middle-class incarnation of populism. Their anti-political stance arises from a widespread mood where the electorate sees politics as detached from their lives. This populism of the liberal centre taps into public dissatisfaction with politics by rejecting the major parties and their methods of operating. Phelps' claim in her inaugural speech, that the political system 'has evolved to turn inwards and primarily serve itself, at times silencing the voices of reason and compassion', fits into such a populist narrative.
It draws upon a tradition of good citizenship, to act in the interests of the people by being 'above politics', seeking a 'stronger relationship between people and our elected representatives' through a MP 'who would put the electorate first', as Cathy McGowan said. Chisholm MP Julia Banks' resignation statement from the Liberals, where she spoke of the actions of MPs being 'undeniably for themselves, for their position in the party, their power, their personal ambition, not for the Australian people' and that she would be putting first 'people that the major parties have stopped listening to' echoes this.
This phenomenon is far from new. Attempts to do politics differently harks back to an older tradition, going as far back as the Australian Democrats, and can be seen in the election of other independents such as John Hatton, Ted Mack, Clover Moore and Tony Windsor. Much of MP (and future Australian Democrat leader) Don Chipp's resignation speech from the Liberals in 1977 would resonate in today's political climate.
Chipp stated that the public was 'disenchanted with party politics as they are practised in this country and with the pressure groups which have an undue influence on the major political parties'. He went on