Victorian Liberal president Phil Davis has told members that if the party can’t unify and put aside infighting, it will never be able to govern.

Davis survived a challenge from his predecessor Greg Mirabella on Saturday and was re-elected president. He urged those gathered at Moonee Valley Racecourse for the party’s state council to set aside their differences.

The party has been fractured over a loan to former leader John Pesutto. Separately, former state director Stuart Smith resigned this week over derogatory WhatsApp messages leaked to the media.

“The last week has not been the highlight of my life, or the presidency, to be blunt. And I hope we don’t see the likes of it ever again,” Davis told party faithful on Saturday afternoon once votes were counted.

Davis was re-elected with a

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