Abbott’s second coming will worsen Liberal fiasco

James Massola is spot-on about the negative effect of Tony Abbott becoming Liberal Party president (“Abbot’s gung-ho style risks time in the shade for Taylor”, June 2). Remember his appalling and demeaning invective as opposition leader towards Julia Gillard? Verbal pugilism. There’s no chance of encouraging more women to stand as candidates under this misogynist. Incessant criticism and negativity towards the government will not impress the electorate, nor will pandering to the “core values” of John Howard (whatever they were). Rick Smyth, Narrabundah

James Massola asks if Angus Taylor has made a fatal mistake by elevating Abbott. The question hardly needs to be asked – he was probably the worst of many bad Liberal prime ministers. But, in fairness to Taylor, we should look at his options: Abbott or Alexander Downer. He was on a hiding to nothing. Paul Fergus, Croydon

Hoping Angus and his sidekick Tony might have noticed the immediate success of the recent budget? Home clearance rates flatlining, prices dropping and minimal incentive for investors to compete with first home buyers. Not even their preferred opening bowler, John Howard, could remove middle stump as cleanly as that. Well bowled, Albo and Jim. Peter Willis, Orange

In 1990, Paul Keating announced the economic downturn was “the recession we had to have” to deflect blame from his government’s spending and economic management. The result? Seventeen per cent interest rates and 11 per cent unemployment. History is about to repeat itself. Labor cannot control its spending. Instead of cutting this spending, it will raise revenue with CGT and negative gearing changes. The result will be pain for many as house values collapse, leading to another recession. Surely this time the moniker should be “the recession we did not have to have”? Ian Morison, Forrest (ACT)

Rob Mills wonders what women have to say about Tony Abbott’s comeback (Letters, June 2). This woman has nothing positive to offer. Abbott’s desperate efforts to remain relevant and in the public eye hold zero appeal for me. His well-documented misogynistic views have alienated many women. Apparently, I live in a pocket of hardcore Liberal supporters. When asked what they liked about Tony Abbott, they all said, “he used to come to the polling booths and shake my hand”. After being so well looked after by independents Zali Steggall and Sophie Scamps, there can’t be too many people left who would be swayed by such a move. Considering he was dismissed from his own party, it’s astonishing he has been appointed as its president. He can lead the