Kevin Andrews didn’t deserve the vilification he received after losing yesterday’s Menzies preselection, especially from journalists who appear to have forgotten the difference between reporting and editorialising or mistake Twitter for the vox populi.

While it’s great to see younger people coming through the ranks of political parties (and yesterday’s winner Keith Wolahan looks to be a stellar candidate), at just 65, Andrews’ desire to serve one more term was legitimate. 

Parties need a blend of wise heads and youth. 

Despite being a hate figure of “progressives” (I will come back to the terminology), Andrews is a formidable intellect and policy wonk. 

He served as immigration minister under John Howard and as social...