Plenty of northerners will be barracking for a strong run from Nationals MP Troy Grant, given the news that long-serving state leader Andrew Stoner is stepping down.
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The decision by the deputy premier opens the door for not just a successor, but a succession plan, and the obvious openings that creates in ministerial places and government committee spaces.
Dubbo politician Troy Grant will have solid support from the inland in any hierarchal contest, not least because he represents some of the heartland of party politics but also because of his local connections.
This region has a proud history when it comes to our political representation – not just from the old Country Party people, but also from the independent brand, however much the politically polarised will beg to differ in public, and from other political persuasions where locals have been strong advocates for their constituents, not just their voters.
The north has seen some strong men take on senior roles in the political powerhouse in days gone by, like Wal Murray, Ralph Hunt and John Anderson.
More recently, Richard Torbay (despite his ignominious fall) and Tony Windsor were active and energetic local members in political spheres.
Troy Grant seems to come from the same mould – and it’s perhaps coincidental that we can claim him as one of our own.
Mr Grant was a Kooty public school kid. He went on to high school at Oxley. He was the son of a former Tamworth policeman and followed in his father’s footsteps before politics called.
The state chairman of the Nationals, Bede Burke, himself a product of the small school system – think perhaps
St Joseph’s at West Tamworth and then the local Catholic senior school – has paid tribute to Andrew Stoner on his resignation.
As he’s said, it’s been a long ride for Mr Stoner, coming to the leadership in 2003 when The Nationals had been in opposition for almost a decade.
Mr Burke contends the party has grown in stature and in strength – and in 2011 recorded its strongest election result since the 1930s.
Nationals MPs represent more than 92 per cent of the landmass of NSW, Mr Burke reports.
Having been a steady and patient hand at the wheel, the party will be looking to a leader with the extra strength to take on the job – and also the future, as well as the issues that engulf the Nationals now, not least the fight over agricultural lands and the divide between resources, not just internally, but with its senior partner, and most importantly of all, with the electorate.
Mr Grant might have a fight on his hands before then – but whoever wins will need the gloves on for the battles ahead too.