Shane Frith on Platform: It is time to expose the real harm done in the developing world by the Western environmental lobby
Four selections last night in Seats and Candidates:
- Jonathan Lord selected for Woking
- Graeme Brown selected for Dudley North
- Matt Palmer and Mohammed Riaz selected for Bradford South and Bradford East
Local Government: A Party Conference guide for councillors
Tim Montgomerie on CentreRight: Keeping extremism out of the classroom
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Cllr David Parsons, leader of Leicestershire County Council in Local Government: The Lesson of Fiona Pilkington's suicide
ToryDiary: Tory lead down to 7% in YouGov daily survey
Graeme Archer on CentreRight: "At first I thought it was Twitterish hysteria, when on my commute home yesterday I read that Brown had announced plans to lock up young mothers in hostels. But it's true. He does want to do this. Mothers of legal age but without a male partner will be put into hostels, under the 'care' of social workers."
International: Czech Republic's Vaclav Klaus is threatened with impeachment if he does not sign Lisbon
David Cameron hints at early dumping of the 50p tax rate...
...attacks Andrew Marr's questioning of Brown about his health...
"David Cameron took the unusual step of rallying to Gordon Brown's defence today as he described the BBC's decision to grill the prime minister on his health as inappropriate... In an interview with LBC radio host Nick Ferrari, Cameron disagreed with the BBC's insistence that asking the prime minister whether he was on medication was a "legitimate" line of questioning... Cameron said: "I watched it and I must say, I didn't think it was appropriate. Look, I think journalists should feel free to ask any question they like and I think politicians should feel free to say, 'Look, do you know what, I'm not going to answer that one'." - The Guardian
...and restates his position on the Lisbon Treaty
"In an LBC radio interview, the Tory leader said that if the treaty is ratified, “new circumstances” will apply, suggesting a new Tory policy will be needed. "If this treaty is still alive, if it is still being discussed and debated anywhere in Europe, then we will give you that referendum, we will name the date during the election campaign, we'll hold that referendum straight away and I will lead the campaign for a No," he said. "Now, if those circumstances change, if the Germans ratify, if the Poles ratify, if the Czechs ratify, if the Irish vote Yes to the treaty, then a new set of circumstances [apply], and I will address those at the time." - Daily Telegraph
The Tories welcome The Sun's support...
"Our website and text service was swamped by readers backing our decision to dump PM Gordon Brown and support David Cameron's Conservatives instead. " - The Sun
> Yesterday's ToryDiary: The dead parrot Tories are resurrected in The Sun
> WATCH: David Cameron welcomes endorsement of The Sun
...as others analyse how it came about...
"Cameron's master stroke, in June 2007, was to hire [Andy] Coulson five months after he had lost his job as editor of the Murdoch-owned News of the World when it emerged that the paper had been bugging royal telephones. It was a controversial appointment that opened Cameron to political attack and is costing the Tory party a hefty salary – reputedly £200,000 a year. But it produced dividends, because it meant that the Tory leader had at his side someone he trusted absolutely, who was also trusted inside the social world of the Murdoch clan." - The Independent
"Just over a year ago, David Cameron had a mild case of nerves when he welcomed Rupert Murdoch to dinner at his Kensington home. The Tory leader knew the meal with the veteran media mogul, who once let it be known that he regarded him as something of a lightweight, would mark a pivotal moment in securing his most important endorsement ahead of the general election." - The Guardian
...and the recriminations begin
"Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, told News International's chief executive, Rebekah Brooks, on the phone on Tuesday night: "You will be regarded as a bunch of chumps, we will not lose sleep over this." Earlier reports said Mandelson had used an expletive beginning with C, but Brooks is said to have rung the business secretary to confirm he called her a "chump". - The Guardian
Gordon Brown is now a leader at war with those who report him - Benedict Brogan in the Daily Telegraph
Irwin Stelzer: Pious generalities won't do. Osborne has to get specific
Bruce Anderson: Is David Cameron tough enough to be a Tory revolutionary?
"An incoming government will be faced by some of the greatest challenges in peacetime history, especially as David Cameron intends to add to them by addressing the broken society and the environment. So is he tough enough? He has many of the sinews of toughness: a clear and incisive brain, physical stamina, an easy habit of command; he does not find it hard to give orders. He is happy in his own skin and fortunate in his wife... Mr Cameron is not yet a statesman, but if he wants to be a successful prime minister, he will have to become one. These are not times which admit the luxury of a mediocre premiership." - Bruce Anderson writing in The Spectator
Tories begin planning for rapid education shake-up after election
"The Conservative party has begun drafting its first education bill, planning to fast-track academies, scale down the national curriculum and dismantle the system of setting national pay deals for teachers. In a mark of the party's election confidence, Michael Gove, the shadow education minister, has employed a team of lawyers to scrutinise bills currently in parliament and draw up a new one laying the foundations for a reform programme, even before the general election is called." - The Guardian
Tories consider splitting Ed Balls' Department for Children, Schools and Families - Children and Young People Now
Andrew Lansley questions Andy Burnham's unfunded initiatives
Harman resorts to class war smears on Osborne with jibes about fox-hunting
"Harriet Harman faced accusations of resorting to smears yesterday as she launched a bizarre 'class war' attack on the Tories. Labour's deputy leader suggested the Conservatives' idea of 'diversity' was fox-hunting, opening sleazy lap-dancing parlours and making women serve drinks in private members' clubs. She also risked criticism for using 'dirty tricks' by making a thinly-veiled reference to embarrassing photographs of Shadow Chancellor George Osborne with a prostitute." - Daily Mail
Mandelson: Brown will engage in TV debates
"Gordon Brown is willing to take part in televised debates with other party leaders, Labour's high command finally admitted today, saying it would open talks with rival parties and broadcast organisations on how they should be conducted. The disclosure that Labour will start talks was made by Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, after Brown said in interviews he had taken a decision, but refused to say what his view was. The debates would be the first such event in a British election." - The Guardian
> Tuesday's ToryDiary: Gordon Brown is still dithering over whether to debate David Cameron on TV during the election campaign
Report on Damian Green leak inquiry to be "as redacted as MP’s expenses" - The Times
Samantha Cameron will not be introducing David Cameron at Tory conference - Daily Mail
Boris proposes £30 million of Olympic cuts - BBC
And finally... Labour accuses BBC of bias over Boris's appearance in tonight's EastEnders
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