A Liberal MP has thrown his support behind conservative agitator Andrew Hastie to lead the party ahead of a possible spill. "He brings courage, conviction and a demonstrated capacity to shift the national conversation that I have not seen in other highly credible people within the Liberal Party. The former SAS soldier's camp had been pushing to spill the leadership next week. Despite attending the Melbourne meeting with the two leadership contenders, Liberal frontbencher James Paterson said Ms Ley had backing in the party. "I find it astonishing that there are meetings taking place about the leadership of the Liberal Party on a day such as today," he said.