Michael McCormack suggests Barnaby Joyce’s unpopularity in inner-city contributed to Coalition’s loss

Former Nationals leader says he was very popular' in inner city and that mixed messages on net zero emissions didn't help'

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Michael McCormack has suggested that Barnaby Joyce's unpopularity in the inner city contributed to the Coalition government's downfall in climate-conscious electorates.

The former Nationals leader, who has not ruled out recontesting the leadership, told Guardian Australia there were no campaigns against my name and my reputation in inner-city seats" - a clear reference to warnings from independents and Greens that a vote for Liberal moderates was a vote for Barnaby Joyce".

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