FORMER prime minister John Howard has been coaxed west to join Tangney Liberal candidate Ben Morton on the hustings.

There’s been speculation the party’s WA candidates have been distancing themselves from their state colleagues because of WA’s faltering economy and polls showing premier Colin Barnett’s popularity is faltering.

Tony Abbott joined Mr Morton on a walkabout of the electorate last week.

“Last week I caught up with Mr Howard to update him on the progress of my campaign,” Mr Morton says.

“I am pleased Mr Howard has taken an interest in my campaign and to have John Howard recommending me means an enormous amount to me personally.

• Former PM John Howard and Ben Morton. Photo supplied

Safe borders

“Like many Australians, I have always been impressed by Mr Howard’s policy directions and his belief in maintaining a strong economy and safe borders.

Mr Morton added he’d had a phone call from Malcolm Turnbull this week and believes he may have convinced the PM to make the trek to Tangney in the next few weeks.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK