If you find it breathtaking that Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party has managed to lose one of its bluest of blue-ribbon seats in what appears to be the biggest by-election swing against a government in Australian political history, it might conceivably have even been worse.

Imagine the level of devastation the furious voters of Wentworth might have served up if the party’s “let’s get rid of Malcolm Turnbull” strategists had got what they wanted in the first place – a Peter Dutton government.

Morrison, as has become clearer by the day, has proved to be a prime minister with the instincts of a door to door salesman, trying to be an everyman for everyone.

Peter Dutton, the man where it all started. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

It hasn’t worked, and certainly not in Wentworth.