The Liberal candidate for Wentworth, Dave Sharma, has hit out at "ideological zealots" taking over mainstream political parties in a late-night tweet widely believed to be directed at far-right MPs in his party.

Dave Sharma (left) has lamented the rise of "idealogical zealots", a likely reference to hard-right MPs like Tony Abbott (right). Credit:Christopher Pearce

Mr Sharma, who was defeated by independent Kerryn Phelps in the October byelection, took aim at the hardline Brexit politicians who attempted who oust Britian's Prime Minister Theresa May from her job overnight.

"Brexit Shambles - a telling lesson in consequences of allowing mainstream political parties to be taken over by ideological zealots," Mr Sharma wrote.