Political editor Mal Farr says Tony Abbott will struggle to stay as PM, given that two-thirds of Coalition backbenchers want him out.

Abbott survives spill, but what happens now?

WHO cares about the Liberal leadership when the real topic of speculation is the identity of the MP who cast today’s informal vote.

There has been intrigue over one MP’s decision and/or error in casting their vote, by reportedly writing “PASS” on a blank piece of paper. His colleagues wrote either YES or NO to indicate whether they supported holding a leadership spill.

Informal vote in #libspill simply had "PASS" written on it. In capitals. Ballot papers were blank. MPs and senators asked to write Yes or No — Andrew Probyn (@andrewprobyn) February 9, 2015

The motivation and identity of the MP remain a mystery but the internet is having a great time speculating about it.

I imagine that the informal #libspill vote just read "See You Next Tuesday..." — Marc Fennell (@marcfennell) February 8, 2015

Humiliated MP Kevin Andrews also became the butt of a joke, with some suggesting the Defence Minister was voting for former prime minister Julia Gillard. It comes as he accidentally mentioned her in a press conference last week, saying: “I believe the team of Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard is the best leadership team for the Liberal Party and therefore part of the best leadership team of the Coalition for the country”, to much amusement from Labor supporters.

Those of you suggesting that the informal vote was Kevin Andrews voting for Julia Gillard are very unkind. #libspill — Annabel Crabb (@annabelcrabb) February 8, 2015

Others were just outraged that an elected official would cast an informal vote.

Can you believe there was 1 informal vote #libspill How hard is aye or nay? This person, remember, is a Member of Parliament !!! — Troy Bramston (@TroyBramston) February 8, 2015

But mostly there was just of lot of jokes.

One informal vote. I assume that was for Taylor Swift. — Lucy Carter (@lucethoughts) February 8, 2015

Okay guys, who wrote 'inanimate carbon rod' on the ballot? #libspill #informalvote — Lane Sainty (@lanesainty) February 8, 2015