The Australian prime minister who symbolises a global UK

‘Thy cities shall with commerce shine.” The BBC might have banned the singing of Rule, but the rest of us can still admire its lyrics. As we recover our trade policy after half a century, we should recover the global vision that the song’s 18th-century authors took for granted. And how better to mark our worldwide re-engagement than to invite Tony Abbott, the former prime minister of Australia, to join our Board of Trade – a 400-year-old body now being revived after decades of quiescence?

Abbott’s appointment has enraged elements of the Left, partly because he is pro-life and sceptical about the cost of climate change adaptation, but mainly because they resent Brexit and hate being reminded that most British people feel a kinship with Australians that they don’t extend to Europeans.

The former Liberal leader is perfectly qualified for the role.

Abbott was born in Lambeth and, even by Australian standards, is unusually Anglophile. A moderate Remainer in 2016, he unhesitatingly accepted the result and became a global advocate for Brexit. He has long supported closer ties between the core Anglosphere nations. More to the point, he knows a thing or two about trade negotiations. In less than two years in office, he managed to conclude comprehensive trade deals with China, Japan and South Korea, forcing the pace when his officials were spinning out the talks.

He is, in short, a living reminder that Britain has friends on far continents, and that we should raise our eyes once again.