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The Liberal Party politician, 59, who led the Commonwealth country for two years from September 2013, told a meeting of the Conservative Bow Group: “I do have a confession to make, I was one of those foreign luminaries who advised Britain to remain in the EU. “Not I hasten to add not because I thought Britain needed Europe but because I was sure that Europe needed Britain. But I have to say I have never been more pleased to have my advice ignored. “You decided to take responsibility for your own future and I have to say I have never, ever admired the British people more.”

The event marking the 65th anniversary of the centre-right think tank the Bow Group also saw Mr Abbott, who was the country’s 28th leader of the country, defend David Cameron, saying that the former Conservative Prime Minister did “not get the credit he deserved”.

I have never, ever admired the British people more Tony Abbott

He told the assembled guests that included John Redwood MP and Brexit Secretary David Davis: “Right now he [Cameron] does not get the credit he deserves - for bringing the Conservative party back to power and for keeping it there and for running one of the very few governments anywhere in the world that’s both managed to cut taxes and cut the deficit. “And what criticisms might be made and whatever faults the Cameron government had, thanks to his government and his ministers, schools are accountable to parents not bureaucrats, the system is encouraging people into work not dependency and Britain is the world’s most dynamic large economy.” Mr Abott, who was born in London, praised the Tories for revitalising the country and the economy since joined what was then the European Economic Community (EEC): “Four decades back Britain entered the Economic Community, feeling like a failure. Today Britain is leaving ensuring it is a success.

GETTY Tony Abbott said that despite initially supporting Britain to remain, he admires the decision

“It’s Conservative governments from Thatcher through Major to David Cameron and now May that have restored Britain’s pride in itself and its standing in the wider world. And if there’s any country that’s entitled to be confident, that it can succeed come what may surely it’s the one that gave us the mother of parliaments and the modern world that has been made in English. And if the worst happens and Britain has to trade with Europe based on World Trade Organisation rules - have no fear because Australia has been doing that for decades.” Mr Abbott also praised long-standing, Conservative beliefs, throwing his weight behind the party: “There is a point to being Conservative. That its not just there to keep Labour out. That it’s not just minding the shop.

Theresa May's most powerful quotes Thu, August 31, 2017 Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 8 'I will be ruthless in cutting out waste, streamlining structures and improving efficiency'

GETTY Mr Abbott praised the Conservative government for focusing on small government, low taxes and trade

“Above all else, that it’s never the orderly management of decline. It’s about burnishing the great in Great Britain. “Yes the Conservative preference is for lower taxes, smaller government, greater freedom. Of course, Conservatives are instinctively on the side of small businesses, the traditional family and values and institutions that have stood the test of time. “But above all Conservatives are patriots dedicated to their country. To the way of life and culture that has made us who and what we are. So for us Conservatives the challenge is to restore and renew, because as my predecessor John Howard once said a Conservative is someone who doesn’t think he’s are morally superior to their grandfather.”

GETTY The former Australiam Prime Minister lauded the British public for taking control of their future