OPINION After years in the wilderness, the prodigal son, former premier Campbell Newman, has returned to the LNP fold. That is a smart move by the LNP state executive, and acting president Cynthia Hardy is obviously hoping it helps her starve off a likely challenge from Lawrence Springborg. But the horse has bolted on that. Newman's appointment to the state executive is a risk because Labor will use it to suggest the party is still stuck in the former premier's era, which didn't end well. But the new-look and resurgent LNP under Springborg will benefit greatly from Newman's capacity as fundraiser and steady hand.