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Category: Tories

Does a swing to the right help or hinder the Tories?

Does a swing to the right help or hinder the Tories?

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David Herdson wonders if the nature of the “floater” is changing Much comment has been made about the apparent shift to the right in the Conservative Party that the reshuffle represented. Before looking at that, it’s worth noting that this was David Cameron acting as Conservative leader rather than Prime Minister: the Lib Dems’ responsibilities at cabinet level remained utterly unchanged in portfolio and personnel. As the parliament wears on, the government resembles less and less a unified coalition and…

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Shifting to the right will lead to electoral oblivion for the Tories

Shifting to the right will lead to electoral oblivion for the Tories

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All the focus should be on the LD undecideds For me the most significant polling data that we’ve had since the 2010 general election was the 1,500 sized sample Ashcroft phone poll of Corby voters ahead of the Westminster by-election due to take place in November. This was in one of the seats that the Tories won in 2010 and which they have to hang onto and more if they have any hope winning a majority. The poll came out…

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Are we seeing the return of the nasty party?

Are we seeing the return of the nasty party?

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Henry G Manson asks whether we are seeing the return of the nasty party? Ten years ago Home Secretary Theresa May told her party’s annual conference that too often the Conservative Party was viewed as “the nasty party”. There’s been considerable efforts shake off that image under David Cameron since 2005 with a new stance of social issues. Peter Hoskins writing at Conservative Home and in the Times warns the Prime Minister of a “fresh sourness” in some of his recent…

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Michael Fallon is the man to calm Tory nerves?

Michael Fallon is the man to calm Tory nerves?

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He should take over from Baroness Warsi in the re-shuffle? All the reports about Cameron’s coming re-shuffle suggest that there’ll be very little change at cabinet level with most of the changes being in the lower ranks of ministers. One widely forecast move is for Baroness Warsi to be replaced as party chairman. Two figures are being talked about – Grant Shapps, the 43 year old housing minister, and Michael Fallon, the 60 year old current vice-chairman. Both are effective…

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ConHome activists have got it wrong on UKIP voters

ConHome activists have got it wrong on UKIP voters

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It’s wrong to assume that UKIP backers are “Tories on Holiday” Tucked away behind the Times paywall is a story this morning about a new ComHome survey of the so-called “Tory grass-roots” that suggests that a significant proportion think that a deal with UKIP would boost their chances at the next election. It says that “Six out of ten think such a move would boost the party’s electoral hopes by bridging the divide on the right of British politics”. But…

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Is Boris on manoeuvres?

Is Boris on manoeuvres?

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Benedict Brogan has an article in today’s Telegraph headlined Boris is unstoppable, and now Murdoch wants him to lead the Tory party For me, there were two bits that stood out. The outbreak of speculation about his chances, or even his suitability, should worry Mr Cameron less than the reason for the sudden outbreak of Boris-mania: Conservative donors have had enough, and are lining up behind the London Mayor. In City terms, the money men are shorting the Tory leadership….

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Does Burley represent the Tory future or the Tory past?

Does Burley represent the Tory future or the Tory past?

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Thank God the athletes have arrived! Now we can move on from leftie multi-cultural crap. Bring back red arrows, Shakespeare and the Stones! — Aidan Burley MP (@AidanBurleyMP) July 27, 2012 The most leftie opening ceremony I have ever seen – more than Beijing, the capital of a communist state! Welfare tribute next? — Aidan Burley MP (@AidanBurleyMP) July 27, 2012 Seems my tweet has been misunderstood. I was talking about the way it was handled in the show, not…

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What will the “Turnip Taleban” say about Liz Truss now?

What will the “Turnip Taleban” say about Liz Truss now?

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New Statesman Did they nearly stop Mrs Thatcher Mark 2? Liz Truss, the 38 year old ex-President of the Oxford University Liberal Democrats turned Tory MP, first came to national prominence six months before the general election when what became dubbed as the “Turnip Taleban” sought to de-select her in her SW Norfolk constituency. A leader of this faction was quoted at the time as saying: “Sorry, no, I have never said I’m anti-women. I have got absolutely nothing against…

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