Tim Blair - COSTELLO GONE

Peter Costello has announced he won’t seek leadership of the Liberal party.

UPDATE. Posted by the Age as Costello was speaking:

There is no danger the Liberal Party will unravel following Saturday’s heavy electoral defeat, its federal director Brian Loughnane says …

Mr Loughnane nominated the parliamentary party’s deputy leader Peter Costello as the person to heal party wounds.

February, last year:

I will trade you, Australia, our entire US Senate, for your Peter Costello.

Obviously the Senate would now feel Oz more receptive to their, ah, unique character.

But I don’t know why he wouldn’t, after, in July, last year, the:

two-fisted leadership throwdown in the nation’s capital!

Though it was distressing at the time, now it would be an ideal opportunity! Which is why I’m convinced he’ll be here any moment. I should vacuum.