ToryDiary: Only a Conservative government will save Britain from a borrowing crisis, says George Osborne (BUT HOW?)
LeftWatch: Labour's criminal record
Christine Emmett on Platform: Why small businesses need the Conservatives - and what we must be offering them
Seats and Candidates Diary of a PPC: Steve Baker settles in to his new home in Wycombe and makes the most of Christmas events as he prepares to step into Paul Goodman's shoes
Local Government: Telford and Wrekin increases grit capacity by 25%
ToryDiary posts:
- Tory manifesto may be launched on 4th January as Cameron switches to positive message in 2010
- Philip Davies MP asks: "Is it offensive to black up or not, particularly if you are impersonating a black person?"
- Lord Lawson outlines 'Plan B' on climate change after Copenhagen's failure
- Tories say climate talks must continue "until a real deal is agreed"
Seats and candidates: Norsheen Bhatti, Andrew Large and James Rushton selected for Stoke seats
LeftWatch: New Statesman political correspondent's account of Tory bloggers lunch is "work of fiction"
Platform posts:
- Jack Perschke: Blue Greens can triumph after Red Greens were defeated in Copenhagen
- Rupert Matthews: Does the EU deserve to be branded the EUSSR?
- What role should Councils have in the school system?
- Mark Wallace: Why do councils let their staff get away with fraud?
- Mark Wallace: The Guardian should praise Philip Davies' quango scrutiny, not smear him for it
- Melanchthon: "Conviction rates for burglary are poor. The chances that the burglar would remain at liberty to terrorise Mr Hussein and his family in revenge for his fight-back must have been high. The chase and capture must thus be regarded as an integral part of the act of violent self-defence."
- Obama accused of "climate crime" as green groups condemn Copenhagen outcome
- Barack Obama pursues 'minilateralism' in Copenhagen, bypassing UN for deal with China, India, Brazil and S Africa
WATCH:
Chris Grayling: Homeowners using self-defence should escape prosecution
"Homeowners would be handed a licence to kill burglars by a Tory government. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling raised the election stakes on crime by promising law-abiding citizens extra rights to defend themselves. If the Tories win the election, he said, they would tear up the law which lets householders use only 'reasonable force' to defend their families against intruders." - Daily Mail
"Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, said he was "uncomfortable" about the jailing of Munir Hussain, the businessman convicted of beating a burglar who tied up his family at knifepoint after breaking into their home. Mr Johnson said he was sure Justice Secretary Jack Straw would look again at the law on householders' right to defend themselves against intruders, despite previous reviews that have resulted in no change to the legal position." - Daily Telegraph
> Yesterday's ToryDiary: Chris Grayling will strengthen legal rights of householders to defend their property and families from intruders
Tories "buoyant" as opinion poll lead grows
"The Tory high command has fired the starting pistol on the party’s general election campaign as two weekend polls showed it re-establishing a comfortable lead over Labour. Eric Pickles, the Conservative party chairman, said on Sunday that campaigning – including a nationwide poster offensive – would begin in earnest in the new year. “We are up and running,” Mr Pickles said." - FT
"Britain has plenty of “reasons to be cheerful,” David Cameron said yesterday – as he prepared to use the festive break to put the Conservative party on a war footing." - Daily Express
> ToryDiary posts from the weekend:
School league tables will remain under a Tory Government
"A pledge to keep controversial tests for 11-year-olds and league tables will form a key plank of the Conservatives' election manifesto, their schools spokesman Michael Gove reveals today. "We will make it clear that the tests and league tables will be here to stay if you elect a Conservative government," he says in an interview with The Independent. The pledge threatens to plunge a new Conservative government into immediate conflict with teachers' leaders as both the National Union of Teachers and the National Association of Head Teachers are planning a boycott of the national curriculum tests next year." - The Independent
Chris Grayling emphasises opposition to forced police for mergers
"The police service is preparing for its biggest shake-up in 50 years, with several forces considering mergers to cope with the public spending crisis... Chris Grayling, the Shadow Home Secretary, said: “We have no intention to return to previous Labour Party efforts to force mergers between police forces. We think strong, local policing is really important.” - The Times
William Hague expresses concern at how FCO has been forced to cut corners
"British embassies are cutting counter-terrorism and security funding, banning hospitality, and imposing pay cuts and four-day weeks on local staff as a budget crisis engulfs the Foreign Office... The problems arise from the Treasury decision in late 2007 to stop shielding it from currency fluctuations, a few months before sterling’s 30 per cent decline against the dollar... William Hague, shadow foreign secretary, said the withdrawal of protection has had a “devastating impact”. “It has forced the Foreign Office to cut corners everywhere, with a serious impact on staff, on morale and on frontline diplomacy." - FT
Shadow ministers rake in cash before ban on earnings takes effect
"Shadow Cabinet ministers are squeezing in significant earnings, including one payment of £2,000 apparently for no work at all, before a ban on outside jobs. The latest register of MPs’ interests shows that David Cameron’s senior colleagues have been making full use of the last months in which they can boost their private incomes." - The Times
More than 100 peers claimed over £50,000 in expenses last year
"They include 18 members of the upper chamber who claimed more than £30,000 in housing costs – significantly more than the maximum of £24,000 which MPs receive to run a second home." - Daily Telegraph
Peter Mandelson may contest next London mayor election
"Lord Mandelson recently sketched out possible retirement plans to live on a farm, but Labour insiders have become gripped by rumours that the business secretary may throw his hat in the ring for the 2012 mayoral election in London if the Tories win the general election." - The Guardian
> Yesterday's ToryDiary: Will Boris duck re-election? And will Peter Mandelson be his opponent?
Cameron accused of 'airbrushing' Tory Party's links to private education - Daily Mail
Tories warn of threat to unlicensed music in churches and village halls - Daily Express
Taxpayers' Alliance accused of using charitable arm to claim gift aid on donations from wealthy backers - The Guardian
Gordon Brown to accuse a small group of countries of holding the Copenhagen Summit to ransom - BBC
And finally... Michael Gove's guide to buying the perfect Christmas present for the woman in your life
"We men always, but always, get it wrong when we stray from the tried and tested. So no adventurous make-up products, items from Ann Summers shops or indeed any lingerie, and certainly not in any amusing/recapture that lost moment/ provocative colours or designs. Opt for jewellery or clothes instead. But no cutting-edge designers. Just place yourself in the hands of the oldest, most established and respectable firm you can find, take a picture of your beloved so they know her look and style, let them know how much you wish to spend, and then let them persuade you to buy something much more expensive. This simple formula will g uarantee you enjoy your Christmas day, I assure you." - Michael Gove in The Times
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