Tony Abbott wants to stay in Parliament for at least six more years and is open-minded about an "unlikely" return to the leadership if the Liberal Party drafts him.

In an exclusive interview with Fairfax Media, the former prime minister also said he had no intention of spending less time on the national stage, and predicted Liberal Party forces plotting to oust him from the blue ribbon Sydney seat of Warringah would "struggle" to find a candidate to beat him.

Mr Abbott's future is under the spotlight after one in three local members last week voted against his endorsement to contest the next election. Mr Abbott has dubbed the protest vote a "bit of post-Turnbull turbulence" but his enemies consider it the first shot in a battle to replace him with a moderate candidate. Other potential scenarios include a swing against him in Warringah, or returning to Canberra after the next election to rebuild a shattered Liberal Party.

Tony Abbott at the 2016 campaign launch for the seat of Warringah.

The 60-year-old is not actively plotting a return to the leadership but some MPs believe he could become opposition leader if the Coalition loses and Prime Minister Scott Morrison decides against staying as leader.