Political commentators are quick to say politicians stand for nothing if they choose career advancement above conscience or the national interest.

Labor's cowardice against gambling advertisers comes to mind here - a dishonourable surrender to big money and powerful media.

But these same commentators - this one included - are equally critical when political leaders hold fast to policies that are out of sync with the electorate.

Astonishingly, Sussan Ley has managed to adopt the two approaches simultaneously - standing for something and then standing for nothing, simply to retain her party's leadership.

Perhaps this is a reminder that in politics, principles invariably run into other forces, such as bone-headed dogma and insurmountable numbers.

In any event, the incoherent formula to w

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