Taylor has two major problems, and that's leaving aside One Nation

Liberal Party figure Angus Taylor is grappling with significant challenges, notably his own performance and a widening gulf between the party's message and public sentiment. Critics describe his approach as "cack-handed," suggesting he often fumbles communication and fails to connect with voters on their core concerns.

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Like, after his robust attack last week on One Nation, saying this week that he'd made it 'with a heavy heart'. Or recently when, quizzed to the point of embarrassment, he couldn't say whether he embraced multiculturalism.

Taylor frequently struggles in media interactions, appearing to rely on slogans and cliches rather than directly answering questions. This was evident when he described his strong attack on One Nation as being made "with a heavy heart" and his inability to definitively embrace multiculturalism when quizzed. His staff acknowledge his intelligence but despair at his lack of political deftness, noting he seems hesitant to say anything that might alienate the party's base, leading to convoluted responses.

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But Taylor is also trying not to say anything that will put him further offside with the 'base', and that leads him into verbal mazes.

The more fundamental problem, however, is the disconnect between the Liberal Party's platform and the public's current expectations. Taylor's recent economic address, advocating for smaller government and lower taxes, reflects traditional Liberal ideology. Yet, the public, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly looks to government for solutions and support, rather than seeking its reduction.

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Those around him remark on his intelligence, and despair of his lack of political deftness.

This shift in public attitude means the Liberals' austere pitch about economic responsibility may not resonate effectively. In an era where election campaigns often involve significant spending promises, the party's focus on fiscal conservatism could be perceived as out of touch. Persuasion, a skill the Liberals are noted to lack, will be crucial if they are to bridge this gap and regain voter trust.

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But the trouble for the Liberals is that these days the public want more from government than they did a few decades ago. They want activist government to find ways to make their lives better.