Liberals target cricket great Justin Langer to lead Party out of political wilderness

Australian cricket great Justin Langer has emerged as the number one pick of influential Liberals to help lead the embattled Party out of the political wilderness. Liberal insiders have this week confirmed the until now secret plan to recruit the WA cricket icon to not only run at the next State election in 2025 but to lead the WA Liberal Party to it. The Sunday Times has been told that there have already been “several approaches” made to Langer about entering State politics. It’s been suggested, that Langer could be parachuted into one of the only two seats held in State Parliament — Cottesloe — before the next election, if embattled leader, Dr David Honey could be convinced to retire. “There have been several approaches to Justin,” a Liberal insider said. “There will be a new leader (of the WA Liberal Party) and hopefully it will be Justin. “In Justin, you would have a leader that didn’t owe anything to anyone.” A relative outsider could be the antidote the beleaguered party needs, the source said. “He would start to dismantle the factionalism within the Party,” he said. “If Liberals can get Justin, then Christmas has happened. “Justin Langer would be the best thing to happen to the State Liberal Party since Charles Court.” Former WA Liberal state president Barry Court confirmed on Saturday that he and his wife Margaret are also encouraging Langer, who is also a neighbour in City Beach, to run for politics. “Justin and Margaret are great sporting personalities and talk regularly,” Mr Court said. “I told him many years ago to join the Liberal Party. He (Justin) has been a member for many years. “He is a beautiful bloke. He is a leader. I’d love to have him in politics.” The Courts have been rallying hard to get Langer to take the plunge. “Margaret has spoken to him recently (about entering politics),” Mr Court said. “Every time I wave to him, he knows what I am saying.” In 2010, shortly after retiring from cricket, Langer told The Sunday Times he had discussed moving into politics with former Prime Minister John Howard. At that time, Langer said his admiration for Mr Howard was a key reason for him wanting to join the conservatives. “There’s been plenty of interest (in me running for politics) since my retirement (from cricket),” Langer said in 2010. “I had an hour-and-10 minute discussion with John Howard just after I retired. “He asked me whether I had considered a path in politics and I said ‘Now, that you’ve planted the seed, I’ll give it some thought’. “You never say never in your life. But it’s all about timing, isn’t it?” The WA Liberals were decimated at the 2021 state Election. Just two Liberals, Honey and Vasse MP Libby Mettam survived. It is widely accepted that Dr Honey won’t lead the WA Liberals to the next election, with Ms Mettam, the deputy leader, his likely replacement. The Liberals remain besieged by controversy and disunity, controlled by powerful and divisive powerbrokers like Nick Goiran and Peter Collier who have a significant say in pre-selections. Mr Court said his father, the late Sir Charles Court, would be heartbroken over the state of the once proud WA Liberal Party. “Of course, I am sad about what is happening,” Mr Court said. “Dad would be very sad. He would never have allowed this to happen.”