NSW Liberal exodus: Morale plunges as seventh MP quits

The NSW Liberals are in turmoil four months from the state election as a sudden exodus of MPs leaves the party scrambling to find candidates and putting Kellie Sloane’s leadership under internal pressure.

Liberal MPs say morale is at rock bottom and some accused Sloane of failing to give members enough reasons to stay and fight, after a seventh departure means a third of sitting lower house MPs will not contest the election.

First-term Liberal MP Jordan Lane on Friday announced he would not re-contest the northern Sydney seat of Ryde, smashing the party’s chances of holding the ultra-marginal seat on March 13.…