Think right back to last August during Scotland’s independence referendum.
Prime Minister Cameron was begging every world leader he could think of to come out against Scottish independence.
Most told him that they intended to mind their own business.
Some, like Barack Obama, gave what can only be described as the most faltering of endorsements. “It is” the president intoned ever, ever so slowly “up to the folks”.
None of it really mattered. Scots were determined to make up our own minds.
However, one outside intervention stood out, if only for its sheer stupidity. That was from Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia.
He claimed that “the enemies of democracy” worldwide would celebrate a Yes vote.
It was a stupendously daft remark. The Scottish referendum is regarded internationally as festival of democracy, an exemplar of popular participation.
And Australia itself seems to have made not too bad a fist of becoming independent from London.
Of course, Abbott is no stranger to offensive behaviour. He became leader of the Liberal Party by stabbing rival Malcolm Turnbull in the back.
As leader of the opposition he mounted controversial attacks on Labour Prime Minister Julia Gillard which, even in the notorious roughhouse of Australian politics, were regarded as beyond the pale in terms of their misogyny.
As First Minister I spent much of the last day before the official campaign period for the referendum replying to hundreds of Scots Australians who had written to me apologising for the remarks of their own Prime Minister.
Now the sharks are circling around Abbott.
Today, his party holds a caucus to decide whether to dump him. Even if Abbott survives it won’t be for long. In Australia they call this “a spill” and it looks like it is Abbott’s blood that will be spilt, sooner or later.
Ostensibly, he is under fire for awarding Prince Philip a knighthood a particularly silly thing to do. What on Earth does a Prince consort and Duke of Edinburgh want with a mere knighthood?
But then the Oxbridge-educated Abbott has always been keen to bow the knee to London at the slightest opportunity.
That is why he got himself involved in the Scottish referendum. He was pathetically trying to ingratiate himself with Cameron and Hague.
Most of his colleagues are just fed up with his overbearing and crass behaviour. Most Australians are just fed up with him full stop.
Malcolm Turnbull is waiting in the wings to get his revenge. Unlike Abbott, he has a track record of substance on real issues.
Also poised to strike is Abbott’s deputy Julie Bishop, who has won acclaim from within her party for her performance as Foreign Minister.
Ms Bishop released a statement regarding the spill, saying: “I agreed with the Prime Minister that due to cabinet solidarity and my position as deputy there should be support for the current leadership in the spill motion.”
That doesn’t sound like a declaration of undying affection.
Far be it from me to intervene in Australian politics like Abbott did in ours but Scots Australians everywhere are shouting “Anybody but Abbott”.