FEDERAL Liberal MPs have lashed out at colleagues over recent disunity, as Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson warned that Labor could call an election as early as the end of next year.

After two weeks of horror headlines amid internal wrangling over petrol policy, several backbenchers spoke up yesterday in their party room meeting to denounce the instability.

Veteran West Australian MP Wilson Tuckey said he was sick and tired of reading and hearing speculation about his colleagues after a rash of stories about the retirement plans of former foreign minister Alexander Downer and the leadership ambitions of shadow treasurer Malcolm Turnbull.

Sources said Mr Tuckey jokingly urged Mr Downer to talk to his wife about his future — not to the public or the media.

Alby Schultz said that after 24 years in politics, he had seen the danger signs before and had warned his state colleagues years ago that disunity could keep them out of power for several terms.

Former veterans affairs minister Danna Vale also made a plea, saying the sacrifices of politics were harder when there was disunity.

She said it was easier to juggle a demanding political job with caring for an ageing husband, trying to see her grandchildren and planning further education if the team pulled together.

Seizing on the theme, Dr Nelson warned his team that the party's grassroots members who raised money did not want to see displays of disunity.

He lectured his colleagues against talking to the media about divisions.

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop used an old football analogy, observing that although a game could not be won in the first quarter, it could certainly be lost then.