Peter Costello's to blame for the leadership crisis tearing the party apart

Turnbull wanted to pre-empt Costello in case the party turned to him on the eve of the next election as Nelson faltered.

Nor did Costello's unwillingness to serve in any shadow portfolio help the Liberal cause in terms of policy renewal, attacking the Rudd government or providing advice on tactics and strategy.

What a contrast Costello was to Howard who, having been dumped as leader in 1989 for Andrew Peacock, stuck it out. After having been bypassed later by his former staff member, Hewson, stuck it out. With having been shunned in favour of Alexander Downer, kept serving the party.

Costello's unwillingness to take on the role of leader after the 2007 election has left the Liberal Party with a power vacuum that no one has been able to fill since. Nor will any of the present contenders be able to fill the yawning Liberal leadership gulf. It is as much about having real stature and political skills to bring together the disparate parts of the Liberal Party as it is about having new policy ideas.

Even Peacock was willing to take on the leadership after the 1983 election and hold together the Liberal Party so that it came close to defeating Bob Hawke in 1984. But, then again, Peacock at least had the steel to have challenged Malcolm Fraser previously for the top job.

Costello never challenged Howard and his behaviour since the 2007 election suggests that Howard was right not to step aside for his unimpeded rise to the top.