Lord Ashcroft, the controversial billionaire Tory donor, has written a tough public critique of what he sees as the costly flaws in the Conservative Party’s election campaign.

He informed David Cameron, the Prime Minister, on Friday night that he will resign as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party at its board meeting in eight days’ time.

On Monday Lord Ashcroft will publish his verdict on the party’s failure to win an overall majority in the May general election. In his analysis, the Tory life peer criticises the party for:

- Failing to get its “message” and “brand” across to the voters.
- Relentless counterproductive attacks on the Labour Party and Gordon Brown.
- Agreeing to a televised debate of political leaders which enabled the Liberal Democrats to seize the “real change” initiative.

…more at the Sunday Telegraph

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