Gillard's compromise, Turnbull's Kadima

Op-ed writers who note the ongoing process of alienation often criticise the political system for losing its anchor in an engaged electorate. Alternatively, they work in laments about a population ungrateful for this least-worst system of government we have here - and in every other country with the same problem.

The most important conclusion to draw, though, is that it is happening. The parties are losing their social moorings almost as fast as they work to break free of them. Their doing things better will not turn things around.

The factional culture that has dominated all levels of government in this country since before it was a country is losing its democratic mandate. So what comes next? Is there any plausible alternative other than to give up on our 17th century romance about democratically elected parliaments?

In the short term, even if someone can find a way through for Turnbull, hardline parties with an adequate campaigning resource base (the Liberals and especially the Greens) will keep on attracting support, while institutional opportunist parties (especially Labor and the Nationals) will continue to shrivel. In the long term, surely, the picture is equally grim for all of them.