Nope, can't find the spat, ZM and I have waffled on about way too many things.
But you've remembered wrong, anyway, ZM. I'm 99% sure that the "spat" was in reference to last year's Scottish Parliament elections, in which I voted but made the decision only with the ballot paper in front of me -- but I can't find the thread where we discussed it.
@Naomi: basically SD's answer is the point. May is a potential PM, Abbott a potential Home Secretary, so it's not a fair comparison. Corbyn v. May is more important, and honestly I can't say who I'd prefer in practice. I've not been enamoured at all by May's leadership and choices so far, so the other part of that evaluation is "who is in control *now*?" May is -- so it's her record that's more important to consider.
But it's likely not to matter anyway. May's going to be PM come Friday, the only question is as to how much of a majority she has.