in 2005 the party confirmed its intention to maintain parliamentary independence from the liberal party. in 2007, leader brendon grylls stated that the party "took a significant step and said no to a traditional coalition with the liberal party and will contest the (next, 2008) election as a stand-alone conservative party". following the unexpected hung parliament produced by the election, the nationals found themselves holding the balance of power in both houses of the western australian parliament, opting ultimately to support the liberals without establishing with them a coalition of one political force.