To The Australian It is a curious synchronicity that sees political forces attempting to stampede the UK into abandoning Brexit, while other such forces are trying to stampede the Australian people and our Liberal Party into severing links with anything that smacks of the "right wing" or conservatism. Let us hope that each people can keep its head and avoid self-destructing. In this context it is good that Tony Abbott is still buoyantly pugnacious ("Defiant Abbott says he could be PM again", 1-2/12). After the next elections he should be given a senior parliamentary role; but the Liberal Party will be wise to stay with Scott Morrison as leader to maintain stability and its “broad church” appeal. Meanwhile there is a rise in hectic fanaticism and excited triumphalism in the ranks of many on the Left. We should, like Abbott, not lie down meekly before it.
Nigel Jackson, Belgrave, Vic