[Edition 37] ADELAIDE, Monday: The Democrats have a new leader after belatedly discovering that Meg Lees had become the second Democrats leader in a row to defect to another party.

Ms Lees revealed last night that she’d abandoned her party some time ago to join the Liberals, with whom she’s always enjoyed developing policies.

“I have so much more in common with the Liberal Party,” she said. “We
have a common love in the GST.”

Ms Lees said she hopes to emulate the success of her predecessor Cheryl Kernot, who three years ago defected to the Labor Party to make a more substantial impact.

“And we’ve all seen what a huge mark she’s made,” said Ms Lees. “I hope I too can one day rise to her heights. It takes a certain kind of woman to whinge about seat selection, vanish for large stretches of time and then reappear in a wig before shafting their leader in the press.”

The Senator said the desertion of two Democrats leaders reflects the party’s ongoing frustration about being completely insignificant.
“When I last spoke to party members around three years ago,” Ms Lees said, “I noticed a very distinct division between those who wanted to help shape the national policy, and those who were happy to just arse about in the Senate heckling Mal Colston.”

Ms Lees has been succeeded in the leadership by Natasha Stott Despoja, who won the party ballot after members recognised her from comedy panel shows on television.

In her first public statement as leader she laid down a comprehensive plan for changes in the Democrats platform which the media confused as another opportunity to comment on her youth, good looks and choice of shoes.

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