New South Wales MPs agree Canberra politicians have made the Liberal brand so toxic that an early federal election is the Berejiklian Government's best hope of holding onto power at the ballot box in March.

Key points: NSW MPs say they want to distance themselves from their federal counterparts as they are a 'drag not a help'

NSW MPs say they want to distance themselves from their federal counterparts as they are a 'drag not a help' They say a federal election before the state election in March could 'save their bacon'

They say a federal election before the state election in March could 'save their bacon' Malcolm Turnbull has urged Scott Morrison to call the election as soon as possible in 2019

One MP told the ABC: "If we had our way, we'd like ScoMo to call an election this afternoon."

However, most are not holding out hope that Prime Minister Scott Morrison will heed his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull's advice to call an election as soon as possible after the summer break.

"Look, there's Buckley's chance of that happening, but it could save our bacon if it did," one minister told the ABC.

"Malcolm Turnbull is just saying what everyone wants — an early federal election," said a backbencher.

"The damage from the feds is just unbelievable — without an early federal poll we're going to be taken out as collateral damage and for no reason whatsoever."

Two polls published over the weekend show Labor has nudged ahead of the Coalition on a two-party preferred basis.

A UComms/ReachTel poll published by Fairfax newspapers suggested 50 per cent of people believe the woes besetting the Morrison Government would impact their vote in the state election.

Many NSW MPs and ministers have privately hoped for an early election for months, with some previously telling the ABC they were secretly wishing the Federal Government lost the Wentworth by-election to increase the likelihood of a federal poll before the state ballot.

But now they are discussing ways to distance themselves more clearly from their federal counterparts if the NSW Government is the next to face voters' judgement.

'Running a mile' from federal Libs

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has previously indicated she would not be relying on Mr Morrison to play much of a role in the NSW campaign, saying the state would "stand on its own two feet".

However a number of MPs are privately worried that Ms Berejiklian is too conciliatory and collaborative to effectively give the cold shoulder to Canberra.

One minister likened talking about the Morrison Government to poison and said there were two rules he was recommending colleagues followed during the campaign.

"Don't mention the feds and don't mention the PM."

Another said that "ministers are already running a mile" from any appearances with their federal counterparts.

Some Liberals fear that Labor strategists will try to capitalise on the discontent with the federal Coalition by running "scare campaigns" on federal issues such as Medicare.

A number of Liberal MPs have been told that internal polling still puts their party ahead in key marginal seats, but veteran MPs believe only candidates with strong personal profiles will do well because the Liberal party brand will be a "drag, not a help".

But others caution it is too early to raise the white flag.

One MP said: "There are still four months to go, voters aren't even switched on yet".

Several MPs also expressed anger that Mr Turnbull had gone public with his comments, saying they would just cause further damage and disunity.

"Ultimately it would just be really nice if they could all shut their mouths and get some clean air," one said.

"They're effing it up for everyone."

A number of MPs also accused Mr Turnbull of "rewriting history" and said they do not believe he would have gone to an early poll to save the NSW Government if he had remained on as prime minister.