The strange exile of the non-novice Tories

Imagine that you are the proverbial Martian just landed on planet Westminster. You find yourself called upon to advise David Cameron, Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, as part of his commendable efforts to increase the diversity of his party, on how his party can recover the political momentum.

The leader is charm personified and looking forward to your out of this world ideas. But the briefing on current party policy is over in a couple of minutes. So you ask an old friend – John Redwood has offered – to make a few introductions so you can get up to speed on the talent available to the party.

Eureka! How quickly you see some simple steps which could help the Conservatives can get back in the political game.

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Lads’ mags and Labour: Claire Curtis-Thomas campaign

Lord Mandelson – back when he was just plain Peter, and resolutely still in the closet – used to write a column for FHM. Given that this publication is known chiefly for its annual rundown of ‘the world’s 100 sexiest women’, I always found that idea amusingly incongruous.

But not all Labour MPs view lads’ mags as a straightforward media opportunity; Claire Curtis-Thomas is campaigning to get them reclassified as pornography. I fear that she is entering a world of pain, and all for no good purpose.

We have been here before, more or less. Back in 1987, Clare Short – then a backbencher on the Labour left – introduced her Indecent Displays (Newspapers) Bill into the Commons. The target of her ire was the topless pin ups that used to feature prominently in The Sun and – if I remember correctly – the Daily Mirror, too.

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Top Stories and Blog Review – 13th Dec

Female Vote: 90 Years Later

Nationwide
Menezes: Did the police lie?
A victory for irony, Elton John loses libel case
EU leaders claim historic agreement on pollution
Emergency plan for British motor industry

International
Firebombs in Greece for seventh day
Dancing girls of Lahore strike over ‘Taliban’ law
Japan’s automakers at risk if Detroit fails
Son disappears: ‘Mom, I’m in Somalia’

DAILY BLOG REVIEW / by Sunny

No links, only a video for you this Saturday

Watch: Boris answers – ‘la la la la la la’