PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian cannot afford to give in to the pressure being applied by two of her own as the issue of legalised abortion continues to split her party.
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Liberal MPs Tanya Davies and Kevin Conolly have threatened to move to the crossbench - putting the Berejiklian government into minority government territory - unless there are amendments to the abortion bill due to be debated in the Upper House later this month.
Mrs Davies reportedly confirmed to a public meeting on September 2 that she was willing to "separate herself from the government", even if that meant a premature end to her political career.
Mrs Davies, and her supporters, no doubt consider it a principled stand, but it's hardly a democratic stand.
The reality is, this issue has already been debated in the Lower House where both Mrs Davies and Mr Conolly had their chance to put their points of view.
The premier granted all her MPs a conscience vote on the matter and the pair both voted against the bill. They took part in the democratic process but were on the wrong side of the numbers. That happens.
And while Mrs Davies and Mr Conolly are both within their rights to "separate from the government", it still appears a churlish threat. Because such a move would be putting their own beliefs and principles ahead of their constituents'.
Mrs Davies and Mr Conolly were both elected in March as representatives of the Liberal Party and went to the election supporting a Berejiklian Government.
We have to assume that those who cast a vote for Mrs Davies and Mr Conolly - a large percentage of them, at least - did so more for their party allegiance than their personal appeal. And they might have voted differently had the pair contested the election as independents.
But the greatest flaw in the MPs' stance is their claim that there is widespread anger over the abortion bill.
Where is the anger? Certainly it's not reflected in the regular opinion polls that show a majority support a woman's right to choose.
Ms Berejiklian will not relish the idea of leading a minority government but that is still more palatable than caving into the pressure from Mrs Davies and Mr Conolly.
Ms Berejiklian has led her party well through this difficult issue so far. She must continue on that path.