What started with a harmless letter of love and loyalty to our PM and key Game of Tones player Tony Abbott—by Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly—the internet has now gulped down its cynical, fiery, unforgiving throat – a sarcastic brand of #ImStickingWithTony has emerged.

*Applauds*

Craig Kelly originally posted on his Facebook page, with a confusing “#AT” (?) to start it off, throwing his full support behind T-Abs in light of the current leadership crisis. “I’m sticking with Tony”, he wrote.

Anti-Abbott supporters, bless their efficient souls, jumped upon the positive “I’m Sticking With Tony” campaign, quickly warping the sentiment of support into one of discontent and mockery: craftily undermining the campaign altogether.

Adding insult to injury, Malcolm Turnbull has briefly addressed the media this morning, officially standing as a key frontbencher who has not vehemently expressed his loyalty and commitment to overturn the Spill motion set in place tomorrow—keep in mind, a leadership vote is not necessarily on the cards tomorrow morning: the caucus first has to green-light the motion that was put forward on Friday—at this point, all signs point to Turnbull planning his candidacy.

Furthering that, Turnbull has labelled Abbott’s decision to move the LNP meeting a “captain’s call”, a sick burn if we’ve ever heard one, considering Abbott announced just last week that ‘captain’s picks’ were off the table.

Some of the highlights of #ImStickingWithTony include, but are not limited to, the tweets below.

Come tomorrow, we’re expecting this to blow up in a fashion worthy of a Michael Bay sequel, AKA, we can’t wait.

#imstickingwithtony because he swims in the beach, and so did Harold Holt — Celeste Liddle (@Utopiana) February 8, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because scientific research is expensive and running a country on opinions is much cheaper — Anne Smith (@samemniktom) February 8, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony in the hope that one of the teenage netballers he flirted with grows up, runs against him for Warringah – and wins. — Comrade Badham (@vanbadham) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because changing jockeys half way through the race makes no difference when the horse is dead. — The Republic of Me (@Winetosser) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because he was great in Lord of the Rings. pic.twitter.com/LtbFhnuJql — LadySandraSmilesalot (@SandraSmiles) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because the world isn’t ready for his U2 cover band. pic.twitter.com/Nm4sGQnQCF — Joe D.O.A. Hockey (@MPJoeHockey) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because I don’t just want this govt defeated – I want it razed, burnt, and salt sown into the ashes. — Peter Irelandisms (@Hippopeteamus) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because I believe in the dignity of suffering. — Daniel Burt (@trubnad) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because now all my foreign friends who live overseas no longer question my drinking problem — john trevolting (@bethanyschr) February 8, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because my columns write themselves when he’s around. — John Birmingham (@JohnBirmingham) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony like a pair speedos after a hot day at the beach. — Glen (@glengyron) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony cos i dont want my right to be a bigot ever to expire — Adrian Oter (@Daredevil191) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because as a woman I don’t really understand politics. — Kerri Sackville (@KerriSackville) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because I like hearing the same words & phrases repeated at least twice. — Jane Caro (@JaneCaro) February 7, 2015

#ImStickingWithTony because he has the respect and admiration of the international community. pic.twitter.com/EHLb9BKN2c — Josh Nicholas (@joshuapnicholas) February 7, 2015



Lead image by Cameron Spencer via Getty.