Perhaps the commentariat now realise that they do not, in fact, run the country, and cannot replace prime ministers on a whim. Readers will recall we were quick to point to the ‘commentariat’s coup’ behind the recent spill motion that was (and then wasn’t), and to cast an eye over those conservatives hellbent on hounding Tony Abbott. But the real villains are of course those whom David Flint describes in this week’s issue as a ‘fifth column’ within the Liberal party itself; the motley crew of backbenchers – and some frontbenchers, obviously – who daily fed behind-the-scenes tittle tattle to pet journalists (the majority, but by no means all, of whom work for Fairfax and the ABC) as the pressure on the Prime Minister grew exponentially. They betrayed their own party leader because, er, they don’t like Peta Credlin all that much and weren’t happy about Prince Philip’s knighthood. For this they chose to bring the whole show crashing down.

Tony Abbott is by no means home and dry yet. As the old movie poster said: ‘Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water… you can’t get across the beach.’ Between Mr Abbott and the safety of winning-position polling figures lies the 2015 budget, as it always has. The Abbott government was elected as a three trick pony (stop the boats, scrap the taxes, fix the budget) and it will be re-elected if it succeeds with all three. Two out of three ain’t bad, but until the public not only accept tougher budget measures, but also perceive them to be in the national interest, this government is vulnerable to the mendacious appeal of Bill Shorten’s and Chris Bowen’s fantasy fare (or is that ‘fair’?)

As for the main players in the recent leadership drama, it is worth considering them one by one.

Tony Abbott has clearly learned some important lessons. The main one being that he needs to play to his strengths, rather than attempt to pander to the confused centre-left. The battler’s may not now (or ever) like him, but they have always respected him as a straight shooter and a strong fighter. That he appears to have emerged from his travails devoid of the ferocious hatred that plagued the Rudd/Gillard feud says much about his character.

Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop also both emerge with their dignity and credibility largely, but not entirely, intact. Mr Turnbull made numerous errors, particularly by appearing with undue haste on Q&A and with his bleeding-heart support of Gillian Triggs. Sensibly, both ministers are now getting on with the ‘business of government’.

Special mention must be made of Arthur Sinodinos, Wyatt Roy, and other ‘plotters’. No future leader should have anything to do with the purveyors of such gross disloyalty.

Which brings us to Scott Morrison. Alone among the major players, Mr Morrison deserves a standing ovation for his restraint and good grace. Clearly, he is heir apparent. If he is wise, he will keep his nose down and hands clean. And give Mr Abbott a decent go.

Ugly head

In this week’s Culture Buff, Donald McDonald casts his critical eye over the one-woman show starring Miriam Margolyes, in which the British actress, now an Australian citizen, brings famous literary characters to life through their own words. Which is just as well, because great artiste though she may be, Ms Margolyes is an embarrassment when she uses her own words.

‘Because of the actions of the State of Israel and the appalling treatment of the Israelis towards the Palestinians, and the settlements that have been built in contravention of the United Nations rulings and the support that has been given by American Jews and Australian Jews to what is going on in Israel, anti-Semitism has again reared its horrific, ugly head and anti-Semitism is as unacceptable as anti-Muslim feeling,’ she blurted out on Q&A this week, to the dismay of a young Jewish girl in the crowd.

Ms Margolyes’s willingness to justify anti-Semitism by Israel’s defensive military actions in Gaza and on Zionism in general is grotesque, and ignores the decades of Jew-hating literature, education and TV shows pumped out by Hamas and other Islamist entities around the world, even Europe. Anti-Semitism today is largely, but not exclusively, fuelled by Muslim preachers. As another visiting Brit, Melanie Phillips, suggested last week: ‘Muslims don’t hate Jews because they hate Israel, they hate Israel because they hate Jews.’

Morally equating anti-Semitism with ‘Islamophobia’ excuses hatred of Jews, even violence against them, whilst forbidding any criticism of the Islamic creeds that promote it.