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Monday 22nd December 2008 Today's top ConservativeHome features ToryDiary: David Davis calls for Bob Quick to substantiate his allegations against Tories or be replaced for inquiry into Damian Green Dr Nick Randall on Platform: The challenge for Conservatives in the north Local government: Local people may have the chance to name local places: David Beckham Park... the J K Rowling Library... the Bruce Forsyth School... Should Council's have "Film Units"? Alex Deane on CentreRight: "Many of the newest solar panels are manufactured with a gas that is 17,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide in contributing to global warming." Tim Montgomerie on CentreRight: Another proof that the recession is killing green politics WATCH: "Zimbabwe is mine" says Mugabe Today's newslinks Andrew Mitchell: Collapse of £ slashes value of British aid "Figures from the Conservatives show that the pound's fall over the past 18 months has effectively reduced the value of British aid by up to £334 million. Since June 2007, when Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, the pound has depreciated against the dollar by 22 per cent. This has had a knock-on effect of hitting the value of the pound in some of the world's poorest countries." - Telegraph And slightly less importantly: "Brits living in continental Europe have to put up with shrinking wallets and a touch of condescension" - Rosemary Righter in The Times Tories promise new network of rape crisis centres "David Cameron has pledged the Tories will crack down on rape and domestic violence. The plans include opening 15 rape crisis centres, teaching children about sexual consent as well as training police on people trafficking, stalking and “honour-based” attacks." - The Sun Boris invites Sainsbury's CEO to be Olympics adviser Boris Johnson has approached Justin King, chief executive of J Sainsbury, to become his principal adviser on the London 2012 Games - FT Labour's hasty retreat on high interest charges for emergency loans - BBC | Victory for Chris Grayling Accelerated Government spending programmes will provide 100,000 jobs claims Brown - Telegraph "Britain faces an unemployment "bloodbath" in the new year with many tens of thousands of jobs axed in the public and private sectors, according to a cabinet minister. Senior government figures are braced for a dramatic lengthening in dole queues in the first quarter of 2009, as employers delay announcing redundancies until after Christmas." - Independent Mandelson may approve £500m grant to Jaguar Land Rover - Scotsman The world is in a very bleak midwinter - The Independent's Bruce Anderson overviews a depressing global scene Something from the weekend? ToryDiary: How to revive Tory membership ToryDiary: Forget the talk of an early election

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