David Littleproud will continue to serve as the leader of the federal Nationals after a leadership challenge initiated by backbencher Colin Boyce did not succeed.

The Nationals’ whip, Michelle Landry, confirmed that the motion for a leadership spill, discussed during today’s party meeting, did not pass.

It was anticipated that Boyce’s bid would not gain traction due to insufficient backing from fellow party members.

The Queensland representative had accused the Nationals of being “asleep at the wheel.”

Last weekend, Littleproud openly stated he had “no issues” with Boyce’s attempt to contest his leadership position.

“He is well within his right to challenge for the leadership,” Littleproud commented on Today.

”I’ll take counsel from my colleagues and I’ll take their guidance and their decision.”I believe passionately in the National Party and no matter the result, I’ll accept.”

Littleproud said the Nationals did not want to operate in a party room where “unilateral” decisions would be made.

But the Nationals and their former Coalition partners, the Liberal Party, have recorded dismal polling with voters flocking to One Nation. 

Boyce, who has been in federal parliament since 2022, has previously said the Nationals needed to change direction, and remain in the Coalition to challenge the increasing threat from Pauline Hanson’s party.

He announced last week that he will challenge Littleproud for the leadership of their party, describing the decision to split the Coalition for the second time in a year as “political suicide”.

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