There is something contemptuous and demeaning about what is happening to the institution of Parliament in Queensland.
Liberal National Party (LNP) MPs have unanimously endorsed Campbell Newman as their leader at a partyroom meeting this morning.
Newman resigned as Lord Mayor of Brisbane yesterday, following his endorsement as the LNP candidate for Ashgrove.
One year out from the scheduled election, a private citizen is presenting himself as the Leader of the Opposition.
For the first time in living memory, the principle that political leaders are drawn from the elected members of parliament has been turned on its head.
So what was going through the minds of the 34 LNP members of parliament this morning? How many of them felt the humiliation, indignity and powerlessness they had just demonstrated to the world?