"Marginal" voices agitating to break up the Liberal Party would cause disaster for the nation's oldest political alliance, senior Liberal James Paterson warns, cautioning colleagues against splitting up.

In a keynote address to Liberal allies, the shadow finance minister also said more than five months on from the Coalition's worst ever electoral defeat, it was now time for the "apology tour" to come to an end.

The party's election drubbing, which left the Coalition just 43 of 150 lower house seats, 28 belonging to the Liberals, has prompted a deep reflection of what the party stands for in the 21st century, what its pathway back to government is, and a factional fight between conservatives and moderates for control of it.

Senator Paterson said debate was healthy, but the Liberal Party'

See Full Page