He urged Britain's Tories to govern with common sense and to not "worry too much about the finer points of ideology and economics". He said they should "make a bonfire of regulations" to thrive post-Brexit. Loading Abbott's speech came as speculation swirled in Westminster that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was poised to announce a snap election, possibly before Brexit to improve his negotiating position ahead of a crucial meeting with the EU on October 17. Rebel Tory MPs vowed to stare down threats of deselection to join forces with opposition MPs to force through legislation that would stop Johnson from implementing a "no-deal" Brexit. Abbott, who has met with Johnson on previous trips to the UK, said he was in no doubt who would prevail between Johnson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"I would think that the easiest election to fight and win is an election where you are saying to the people 'I'm on your side'," he said. "So if it an election that pits the Parliament versus the people and the people's champion, well I know which side I'd rather be working for. Loading "Still the next few weeks will be full of political fury as Remainers plot to sabotage Brexit or to turn it into a self-vindicating disaster. "They will fail though because in the end there won't be enough of them to usurp a democratic vote, to sacrifice their country for short-term political gain and to put Europe before Britain."

Abbott then quoted the Bible. "As the scripture says 'He who puts his hand to the plough and then turns back is not worthy of the Kingdom'," he said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The packed room was largely filled with pro-Brexit and conservative figures, meaning Abbott was mostly warmly received. One questioner, who described himself as a "commentator and contrarian", told Abbott "it's great to sit at your feet".

"I too am a keen student of Mr Johnson, I'm not sure if you've read Seventy Two Virgins as well as his book on Churchill?" he said, referring to Johnson's first novel about an Islamist plot to target a visiting US president in Westminster. In the book, radical Islamists convince vulnerable people that if you die for Islam, you will be with 72 virgins in heaven. Loading "No, but I'd be happy to meet them though," Abbott replied before laughing. "If you know where you do meet 72 virgins, I don't think you'd be so keen on that," the questioner said. "You obviously have more intelligence over these things than I do," Abbott responded, laughing.

UK Trade Secretary Liz Truss says Tony Abbott is an "inspiration" to Conservatives. Credit:Latika Bourke Trade Secretary Liz Truss, who is travelling to Australia later this month to meet with Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, said it was great to have Abbott's "moral support" and described him as a "proud conservative." "You are an inspiration," Truss told Abbott. "You told us about Axe the Tax, about Stop the Waste, about Hope, Reward and Opportunity and I think you inspired lots of politicians around the world including me who were worried about the dominations about the technocrats ... the Blairites, those type of people and you said 'Its fine, we can be unapologetic about being conservatives because we understand what motivates people'," Truss said. Truss said she wanted an Australia-UK trade agreement to be one of the first Britain strikes after Brexit.