Former Aussie PM and potential new joint-president of the Board of Trade Tony Abbott has talked up the prospect of greater trade and cooperation between Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, in response to a question about commonwealth trade initiatives, particularly with countries that are of similar levels of economic development. His response was tacit endorsement of CANZUK…

“The Australian Government is committed to freer trade under the right circumstances, the British Government is obviously very very keen to conclude freer trade deals with as many countries as it can as quickly as possible, Canada yes is disposed the same way, I’m reluctant to speak for our siblings across the Tasmen [New Zealand], but that’s traditionally been their position as well.

I’ve always taken the view that with for argument’s sake with all of the the Five Eyes countries, we are yes juridically separate entities but we are not really foreign to each other and long may that be the case.”

First the leader of the Canadian Conservatives, now the former Aussie PM. Momentum…

Following the news last night that Boris is set to appoint former Aussie PM Tony Abbott as President of the Board of Trade, the current Australian Premier Scott Morrison has reacted with delight, telling reporters:

“Good hire! I think that’s a good hire… well done Boris”

The boost to Anglo-Australian relations comes just days after the new CANZUK-advocating Erin O’Toole was elected leader of the Canadian Tory Party who could be on the brink of election victory. Boris just needs to woo Jacinda Ardern and the CANZUK show can get on the road…

The Canadian Conservative party concluded their post-election leadership race this morning with the victory of right-winger Erin O’Toole. With Trudeau failing to secure a majority in the 2019 Canadian Federal Election, and coming behind the Tories in terms of vote share, O’Toole could be mere months off forming the next majority should Trudeau’s precarious position falter. The news exciting Tories across the pond this morning is Erin O’Toole’s long-standing support for a CANZUK trade, military and security deal between Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Australia, “allowing free trade amongst our allies, amongst free countries”. Bring it on, Justin…