The Liberal Party is a "party of lobbyists in search of a policy" according to a long-standing party official and City of Sydney councillor who has defected to a rival ticket.

Edward Mandla, the party's candidate for lord mayor at the last City of Sydney elections, quit the party this week and declared it has "lost its way" under the influence of faceless lobbyists.

Angela Vithoulkas is trying to unseat popular independent Clover Moore as Sydney lord mayor. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Cr Mandla will instead run as the second candidate on independent councillor Angela Vithoulkas' "Sydney Matters" ticket in the September council elections.

His comments about the culture of access and influence in the state party will spotlight tensions in an organisation riven with factional animosity.