Retired, resigned, but influential

Malcolm Fraser’s (below right) decision to resign from the Liberal Party prompts many questions, among them a meaning of the words “liberal” and “conservative”.

Australia’s former Liberal Prime Minister called into question the present direction of the political party he once led, when just last week he acted to disassociate himself saying it was becoming too conservative.
His move sets up a strange confrontation between those who proudly describe themselves as liberals and conservatives, a political standing that most see as one and the same.
However, while they gather on the same side of politics, they are in fact quite different.
Liberals are adventurous and quickly embrace something new, although with caution, while conservatives always prefer the status quo, but will adopt change the moment its worth can be illustrated and, importantly, proved.
The differences are subtle, but important.
The Malcolm Fraser led Liberal Party envisioned a vigorous business-lead Australia coupled with social justice and equality, along with an awareness of the past but aligned with a willingness to move beyond it.
According to reports, Mr Fraser saw the present Liberal Party as becoming too conservative, that is it yearned for yesterday – wanted to go back to the ‘good old days’ – and so seemed reluctant accept the world was changing and preferred what was rather than what will be.
Circumstances in our world are changing, and changing quickly, and although now long detached from the sharp end of politics, Mr Fraser seems acutely aware that managing for the future is not about looking over one’s shoulder, rather illustrating an understanding of new ideas.
However, it is more than just understanding those ideas as it is about blending those ideas with the social and economic life of all Australians.
I have never met Mr Fraser - as our PM I’m not sure that’s something I would have sought - but since retirement he has mellowed to become a thoughtful man who talks good sense.
He has long been out of the direct action loop, but his influence continues to be rich and deep and last week’s resignation is an illustration of his disapproval, and so a mighty influence.