Coalition right-wingers have ruled out a challenge to Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s leadership this year after potential rival Andrew Hastie quit the frontbench to free himself up and pen a manifesto on his vision to regenerate conservative politics.

The self-described leadership aspirant made clear on Saturday that his shock exit from the shadow cabinet announced on Friday evening was not about tearing down Ley – a claim his confidantes privately verified.

Although Hastie said an imminent leadership push was not his intent, the Perth-based former soldier will move to the backbench to read widely, generate ideas and put together a text on his vision for the party as conservatives across the West face existential threats from populists and grapple with debates on migration and energy.

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