Tory Bear - right-wing political gossip

And So It Came To Pass

2010-12-15T15:53:00.000Z

Aaron Porter's Message to All Students

2010-12-05T18:35:00.000Z

"I'm stuck between the rock of never having the political career I dream of, and the hard place of actually having opinion..."

Via The Third Estate.

YBF 7 - TB's Last Speech

2010-11-26T12:41:00.000Z

It's that time of year again when the Young Britons' Foundation hold their annual conference, this year it's going international with a delegation from the States coming too.

TB will be speaking, probably for the last time under such pseudonym, and the whole weekend is always a good laugh as well as a brilliant chance to hear and learn from the brightest and biggest names on the right.

Get your tickets and find out who else is speaking etc here.

Aaron's Warped Reality

2010-11-12T12:17:00.003Z

Aaron Porter has rambled on once again about the "tiny minority" of trouble makers, that included his own NUS committee members. The following were witnessed or photographed at the riot outside Millbank

Mark Bergfeld, NUS NEC
Vicki Baars, NUS LGBT Officer
Sean Rillo Raczka, NUS NEC Mature Students’ Rep
Alan Bailey, NUS LGBT Officer
Kanjay Sesay, NUS Black Students' Officer
Matt Bond, NUS Disabled Ctte

One question Aaron. Does this look like tiny?

The NUS President is clearly delusional if he thinks he is not to blame for what happened. He's clearly been hanging out too much with other delusional "it wasn't me guv" types, like disgraced expenses crook and former Labour MP Shahid Malik who he invited on the march:

Just do the right thing Aaron and man up.

CF Splits on Porter

2010-11-11T15:20:00.001Z

A pretty pathetic statement from CF concerning yesterday's riot at CCHQ. Ben Howlett who has boasted before of his closeness to Aaron Porter refused to call from him to go despite the pleas of his executive. The official wet line is:

"As representatives of the Conservative Party's student organisation we
welcome the NUS' comdenation of those individuals who hijacked yesterdays
protest and committed serious acts of violence and mindless vandalism
during yesterday's protests. We now look forward to them taking swift
action against those NUS officers who played their part.

"And we call on the leaders of the NUS to recognise the fact that the vast
majority of students, who did not attend yesterdays’ protest, do believe
that those looking to enter university should share in paying for the cost
of their tuition."

However Vice Chairman Clare Hilley has stuck the boot in:

"Hollow sound bites and pathetic excuses from the organisation’s President Aaron Porter speak volumes about just how out of touch the NUS is with it’s members. The only way to draw a line under this tragic state of events is for its current President to do the right thing and step down."

Those officials look set to be named and shamed....

Update: Ben says he want Porter to go, he just didn't seem to have put that bit in the statement.

Pressure Mounts on NUS President Aaron Porter

2010-11-11T07:07:00.000Z

This letter landed in TB's inbox this morning and he is sure that the ringleader of yesterday's fun and games - the President of the National Union of Students - Aaron Porter a) did not sleep well last night, and b) will face the wrath of those students who wanted to protest peacefully.

Aaron Porter's appalling planning of yesterday's protest has left the already bruised reputation of the NUS in tatters and to suggest that Mr Porter could be allowed to oversee another such demonstration is laughable.

He was in charge, and as soon as it went wrong he did a runner, sending a mere tweet, spinning that it was just a couple of bad eggs. The truth is there were thousands of students he could not control.

It was immediately clear that he could not, and had not, properly briefed the police with exactly who he had invited, and in many cases bussed in, to his big day.

Aaron Porter
President of the National Union of Students
4th Floor 184-192
Drummond Street
London NW1 3HP

Andre Walker
████ █, ██ ████████ ██████
London
████ ███

10th November 2010

Dear Mr Porter,

I want to bitterly complain about the behaviour of yourself and your staff. I attended today’s protest as a civil servant and a Birkbeck College student. My efforts to join you were met with abuse and threats of violence. I think the level of violence and intimidation is well known to you so I will not elaborate further.

In my view, you should resign as you failed to properly control your event. I am appalled by the fact that you left the scene and spent time conducting media interviews while you should have been taking responsibility for the violence and hatred you unleashed. It was also sad to see that your cowardice in this matter was followed by your stewards, all of whom had retreated when the risk to the public was greatest.

I think that in this difficult period real leadership is best displayed by having the decency to admit you were wrong and accept the consequences. Can you imagine the NUS limping on with you in charge?

Should you wish to discuss this with me personally my number is 07███ ███ ███.

Yours in sadness,

Andre Walker
Birkbeck College Student
Postgraduate Journalism

TB feels it could be a tricky day for Mr President, he spoke to him briefly yesterday in the Sky News studios and Mr Porter was adamant he was not going to blame the police. If that is the case then who else could possibly be responsible for such a spectacular cock-up? The police say they were not warned. Why not Aaron?

Can Aaron Porter be sure that no NUS hacks were involved in the destruction of Millbank Tower and 30 Millbank?

9th November 1989

2010-11-09T18:00:00.002Z

Freedom baby.

Defending Nadine

2010-10-23T14:17:00.005+01:00

TB swung by BBC Breakfast this morning to discuss the fact that despite being cleared by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Nadine Dorries is still being subjected to a vitriolic and partisan hounding online, especially from the more scummy, stalkerish elements of the otherwise maturing left-wing blogsphere. Nadine claimed that she changed the names and locations of constituents she discussed in order to protect their privacy and her own. Funnily enough the BBC though this worthy of their airtime.

The quality is appalling, but someone managed to grab a recording of the discussion with lefty, but a nice one, Zoe Margolis:

Take note though Andrew Marr, not a basement dweller in sight. Though it's that sort of blogger keeping the attacks up. To those that say this isn't a left on right attack are wrong. It's precisely because of Nadine's views, that some might regard as controversial, that the left can whip themselves up into such a frenzy about her. But they are running out of attack lines, and funny how quiet they are about the accused fraudsters facing trial from their own side of the political divide.

Funny though that despite the countless attempts to bring her down, Nadine managed to increase her majority in May. Something that along with her clearing by John Lyons is driving the local Labour Party and freaks many miles away in places like Guildford mad. She remains a popular local MP and would frankly be better ignoring the online nutters...

Educaton Educaton Educaton II

2010-10-20T16:23:00.002+01:00

There are few things more likely to get TB out of his awful blogging lull than a chance to take the piss out of his old student union. Once again Edinburgh University Student Association, or EUSA to their friends, have excelled themselves in their fightback against the machine.

Those evil ConDems are threatening to raise tuition fees. The comrades are being called to arms to fight these evil education cuts. Put perhaps the hacks should spend more time in the library than stabbing each other in the back for their quest up the greasy poll and attempts to find a safe Labour seat or Green Party candidacy:

If ever there was proof the 50% target was too high. Labour would be proud after their similar mare.

Best Campaign Ad Ever No.145

2010-10-18T14:44:00.000+01:00

Conference Pride Tonight

2010-10-03T12:38:00.000+01:00

A message from Conference Pride which is happening tonight. 21.30 - 03.30 at Nightingales Club, 18 Kent St. Tickets available in the ICC lobby or from anyone clad in a rainbow t-shirt...

TB on the Fringe

2010-09-29T16:44:00.007+01:00

TB is looking forward to hitting up Birmingham especially after missing out on Manchester. His accommodation will make you laugh.

FringeList is a service that lets you track who is going to what Fringe events and whats on etc. You can also sign up for text reminders for events.

Checkout tory.fringelist.com
for a full range events or

tory.fringelist.com/torybear

for what TB will going to. Sign in with Twitter to do your own calender...

Drop him a line if you fancy a beer. TB will be speaking at the Freedom Zone one morning (details to follow) and don't forget to book your ticket for the TB/YBF conference kick off party on Saturday night here.

See you in Brum.

Will Ed Descamisado It?

2010-09-28T10:18:00.001+01:00

The Labour Party website thinks so. As did his campaign launch:

Will Red Ed go jacketless today? TB reckons its the sort of cheap stunt he'd try...

CF Election Results - Howlett Wins

2010-09-27T17:21:00.006+01:00

Shocking that only 200 votes were cast. 18k members. Nice. So with an overwhelming mandate the winners are:

Chairman: Ben Howlett (Howlett 113, Cox 60)
Deputy (membership): Clare Hilley (Hilley 73, Cooper 47)
Deputy (political): Alexandra Swann (Swann 139, Khan 33)
Appointed Officer - James Deighton (Deighton 72, Sullivan 70)

Two women and a gay guy at the top. Without quotas. Without enforcement, without special patronising identity officers. Eat your heart out Labour. Gutted about Patrick Sullivan missing out by two votes. Good luck to the new team.

Though the massive drop in turn out needs investigation - someone has cocked up here.

Labour Conference Responds to IMF News

2010-09-27T15:44:00.002+01:00

"The International Monetary Fund has said Britain's economy is "on the mend" as it backed budget tightening measures taken by the coalition Government." Wonder what Labour will have to say about this excellent news for the UK:

Hmm.

Conference Kick Off

2010-09-23T16:36:00.000+01:00

It's conference time kids and that means its karaoke time. This year TB has teamed up with YBF to kick the Conference off in style in the VIP lounge of Bar Risa next door to the ICC. Full details are here. You can reserve songs when you buy a ticket. The list is growing - you've already missed the chance to sing:

“Don’t go breaking my heart”
“Lets stick together”
“Things can only get better”
“My way”
“The look of love” Dusty Springfield
“Same old brand new you” A1
“Knowing me, Knowing you” ABBA
“Take a chance on me” ABBA (Iain Dale?)
“Nothing is gonna stop us now” Starship

Get your tickets here. Will be a laugh.

The Right People Back Cox

2010-09-21T17:28:00.003+01:00

You may have noticed this advert on various political blogs:

Well look out for it if you havent. It's an advert for Craig Cox, a very sound, very ambitious and motivated Conservative. TB is backing Craig to be the next chairman of Conservative Future.

The Tories are in power now, no longer does CF have to be mere leaflet fodder for associations. No longer does it have to be about traipsing up steps and knocking on doors. Now CF has a chance to be a genuine political, ideological and motivational force and it needs a ideologically sound leader.

Ben Howlett is a great guy and TB thinks he will probably win this election. Ben has shown organisational skills that would have been brilliant leading CF in opposition. But now is the time for CF to make some noise, a loyal Cameroon councillor is the last thing the Tory youth wing needs.

They need a leader who is willing to speak out against the government, not a cheerleader. A leader who has learnt the tough lessons of how hard the left will go to smear and lie and distort, a leader who has cut their teeth and isn't afraid to learn from mistakes. For too long CF has been scared of fighting, too scared of breaking party line and too scared to really make a difference. But with the right figurehead all that can change.

Though TB is no longer a member and does not have a vote he would urge you all to take a look at Craig's manifesto and website and put that cross next to his name. It's time CF had a kick up the ideological backside and Craig is the man to do it.

Coalition Buddies

2010-09-21T12:07:00.000+01:00

What was that about no electoral pact at the next election?

It seems the University of Nottingham freshers didn't get the memo...

CF Elects - TB's Endorsements

2010-09-20T13:33:00.004+01:00

With just seven days to go, the only contest to be less exciting than the Labour leadership battle will finally draw to a close. Though it turns out TB is no longer a member of the Tories and thus illegible to vote (news to him but hey) he thought he would endorse a couple of candidates in the Conservative Future election. A bit like Sarah Palin without the money or the Jesus lovin'.

Firstly for Appointed Officer Patrick Sullivan is easily the most qualified candidate. TB has known Patrick for years and he really does have the best interests of the Party at heart. A formidable presence on the CF scene, there are few out there who have given up more time and personal contributions to various by-election and local campaigns. This video also tickled TB:

Secondly CF Wales isn't the most exciting of organisations but it is under threat of being taken over by a Tory Reform Group loon who advocates an increase in public spending and describes those attempting to save public money as "dicks". The sooner Zahid Raja wakes up and realises he is in the wrong party the better. These quasi-socialist NUS NIMBYs need to be kept as far away from the Tory greasy poll as possible. Grant Tucker is your man for Wales. TB met him down at Spring Forum and he's a good guy. Unlike his opponent who has more in common with Ed Balls than any Tory...

Deputy Chairman (Political) is an easy one. Loyal readers will know TB has always had a soft spot for Alexandra Swann and who wouldn't want her leading a protest...

As for DC (Membership) TB is somewhat torn. Hampsheir is a top lad, Oliver Cooper is a sound man, very sound, but then Clare Hilley has been a member of CF for the best part of a decade and proved time and again her ability at organising London based campaigns. TB doesn't understand why the libertarian ideologue Cooper isn't standing for the Political role which would suit him much better and he would easily win. Clare and TB have had their differences over the last year or so, but there is no doubting she is the best candidate for this particular job, and that slogan was always going to come in useful one day... Don't be silly, vote for Hilley.

And as for Chairman.. well you'll have to wait and see about that one.

A full list of candidates standing can be found here.

Movement for Strange

2010-09-08T14:17:00.002+01:00

Undercover at David Miliband’s eve of voting rally.

I never like answering my phone in my sleep and especially not to a shrill and excited voice, unfathomable for the early hour of a bank holiday Monday. Yes I was definitely coming, yes I knew where it was, and no I didn’t need any help getting there.

This was the third time someone from David Miliband’s hyperbolic Movement for Change had been in touch that weekend. Despite answering with my real name, they would ask to speak to “Alex” every time, but I’d long given up putting the phone on the desk for thirty seconds while I went to “find him”.

The event was meant to be a culmination of training “future leaders”, a “wonk school” if you will. Out of mere curiosity at what the enemy were up to, I signed up on the website with my legal name Alexander for more information back in July. I was now being pestered at alarming rate. The sense of desperation at getting as many people as possible to Miliband’s rally was starting to show. The event was meant to be a congregation of all the activists the campaign have trained over the summer - allegedly over a thousand, but I for one had certainly not achieved my level one community organiser’s badge.

Most normal people wouldn’t choose to give up hours of their bank-holiday weekend to go mingle with Milband’s new model army, but with ten days of stubble and a Che Guevara t-shirt to mask me, what was the worst that could happen?

My mind was made up by a final reminder text, to which I replied “do I need to bring anything?” The reply of “just enthusiasm” made me cringe and yet somehow feel hopeful at the same time. “Enthusiasm” and the Labour leadership race have rarely been seen in a sentence together. I printed out my ticket and was asked to write my own unique ticket number, 505, on it, but a frantic follow up email asked me to change that to 1005. What a masterful piece of spin, curiously first used by another movement for change, the Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (the German Workers' Party who would soon become the Nazis).

Despite being an obvious right-winger, hanging around Westminster enough, you end up meeting hacks and pole-climbers of all parties, so with a last check of my new side-parting, I put my flatmate’s glasses and entered Westminster’s grand Emmanuel Centre and approached the desk. Of course there was no record of ticket 1005. Given I knew the coordinator at one of the desks further down, having to spell out my surname wasn’t particularly helpful. Eventually I was found and ticked and given a little green sticker. No one would give me an answer to what the orange ones were for, but the micro-managing had begun.

I was quickly sent upstairs, guided past a silent brass band, and as a proud member of Lambeth Constituency Labour Party herded into the South London section of the audience. Strangely my constituency comrades hadn’t seen me around before, but that wasn’t to stop a friendly chit-chat ensuing. I was new to the constituency of course, but my neighbour on the left didn’t seem particularly involved either. He hadn’t had any Community Organiser training either, nor had the person next to him, or his mum, or in fact anyone sitting around me.

Scanning around the room there was undoubtedly an impressive turn out, but as even Miliband supporters noted there was a distinct lack of young people. The room was full of “Future Leaders” most of whom were much older than their hopeful messiah. The surroundings could not be more appropriate. For someone trying to escape the title of being heir to “St Tony”, the home to the Emmanuel Evangelical Church, was a interesting choice of venue. Everywhere the eye looked was a combination of Miliband’s elongated slogans and overt new-age Christianity. Bringing Labour together, Leading Labour to... redemption?

The atmosphere had the feel of a church congregation full of anticipation. Jim Murphy gave a panto style warm up, the audience fully embracing the “Are you ready... I can’t hear you” banter while stylish female spinners and handlers looked on from the corner of the stage with awkward, embarrassed smiles.

As the pre-game warm up continued the brass band played, the rainbow flags were waved and various handpicked Miliband supporters were paraded across the stage to cheers. A dire duet by MPs Willie Bain and Stella Creasy who narrated the story of the Labour Party like teachers at a school play was not enough to dampen spirits. The fervour amongst the audience was growing, with a rapturous response every time the word “ConDem” was mentioned. I was beginning to think this could turn into a Mid-West evangelical roof raiser, with people having visions and speaking in tongues, running up and down the aisles at any moment. And then it did.

One man stood up singing, shouting, screaming and began to run toward the stage, suddenly whole rows of black women were singing and clapping and screaming “we want David”. It was a practiced routine and a whole block of the audience knew the words to their song. Suddenly I realised what the orange stickers meant. It seems the Movement for Change has been working rather closely with London Citizens, a grassroots community group that have come under attack from being left-wing extremists but also have had praise heaped upon them by no less than David Cameron and Steve Hilton.

Suddenly the “grassroots” effect began to tarnish, clearly Miliband was taking a leaf out of the Obama book, this was a “movement” not a rally, this was about ordinary people not him, yet he needed the help of a well-funded and well organised group to flood his “movement” with room-meat. The facade had slipped and given the speed at which a glamorous blonde staffer was running around, the team knew this. She ran so fast to the back of the room to work out what to do, that her DM4Leader badges were peeling off her silk dress.

Order was restored and suddenly there was piano playing a ConDem ballard. Sob stories by Assistant Regional Inclusion Managers for unions were told over what sounded uncannily like the “Lonely Man” theme from the end of The Incredible Hulk. One man actually said the ConDem cuts were going to kill him.

And then suddenly there he was, David, the golden child. He actually kissed a baby as he walked in less than three feet from where I was standing. He had the pointing-at-people-you-pretend-to-know-in-the-audience trick down to a tee and I even got to touch the chosen one’s hand. No religious experience for me, though I did feel a little breathless from the unending standing ovations and cheering and wooing during the speech. When in Rome.

We were treated to Miliband’s vision, a vision of the “Good Society” where people, not politicians were in control. Communities were going to be empowered, localism rules the day, but this was not the Big Society. Don’t you dare even think this could possibly be an overlap with the evil ConDems. No this was different, this was Miliband’s Jerry Maguire “help me help you” moment. It was as if Cameron had talked about the Big Society in 2005 when he was standing for leader rather than deploying it as a last minute election grenade that he forgot to pull the pin on.

It was a competent speech, polished, no notes and even attempted a little self-deprecation about the justified mocking he had received for his “how to organise a drinks party” briefing. The joke was on David though, through his desperation to not be seen as a micro-manager and instead an empowerer, he managed to show just what a micro-manager he is.

Impressive at first, the whole Movement for Change is a fraud, a room full of community organisers who weren’t just there because Miliband had empowered them; they were Community Organisers and charity workers while he was still carrying bags for Tony Blair. Where were these thousands personally trained by the Movement for Change? It was telling that he ended his speech begging the audience to join Labour.

It was clear he wanted it to be an Obama style event, swaths of the audience were waiting for an Obama style event but, cometh the hour, the man was nowhere to be seen. In the end it was nothing more than a tacit endorsement for David Cameron’s Big Society which his speechwriters have clearly had a selective browse. The Good Society, the Big Society, whatever you want to call it, if Miliband wins, there is hope that common ground can be found on the reining in of the state. This all could have been said without the charade though.

A hack I knew, had started to make intrigued eye contact, I began to think my game was up, and besides the show was drawing to a close. I made a dash for the exit. As I stood outside reading the confirmation I had been rumbled on Twitter, a man clocked my Che t-shirt. “You don’t see many of those anymore, we’ve all got them though.” A Chinese man next to him, with a green sticker on, said “the best thing my father ever did was sign me up to the Labour Party and the Chinese Communist Party on my 16th Birthday.”

It was no surprise that these old-timers felt more comfortable outside smoking than with the stage-managed intensity inside and conversation quickly turned to great left-wing leaders. It was a deeply surreal experience for me to hear Chairman Mao praised in such lavish term, Castro had to be expected though. Thankfully there wasn’t much expectation that David Miliband would join these greats, a mere shrug when I asked. He could give the Chinese Communist party a run for their money on the organisational front though.

PMQs Thoughts - Clegg Getting Good

2010-09-08T12:30:00.000+01:00

After his dreadful first outing at PMQs, Clegg has grown into the role. It wasn't as if his opponent was up to scratch though. Straw was slow and sluggish and wasted six questions on one vague accusation from drug addled, booze soaked, hack with an axe to grind.

Though clearly wanting nothing to do with the Coulson stuff, fate interceded and Clegg found himself slamming the party of "the dodgy dossier, cash for honours and Damian McBride" It was a cutting and well delivered put down. One line that was clearly being saved for Dave was the fact that Brown had called Coulson the day he resigned from the News of the World to tell him he had done the honorable thing and had told him he would go on to great things. The Labour front bench were suddenly quiet and could do nothing but shrug. Funny how quickly their opportunist fit has unravelled.

Nice to have PMQs back and as entertaining as the ding dong was, we learnt nothing. Labour wasted their one chance this week to hold No10 to account, instead deciding to waste it on political point scoring and hysterical rants. Some have said Labour have realised they are in opposition this week and they better get used to it. With a performance like that they are going to be there for a very long time.

Clegg 5 Straw 1

CCHQ's Fax Pas

2010-09-07T14:25:00.000+01:00

There was some confusion last night about Oliver Cooper. Well more than ususal levels at least. Rumour spread that he had nominated himself for Chairman of Conservative Future at the eleventh hour and this true gossip quickly spread. However when the nominations were published last night it seems he missed the deadline. As thought CCHQ...

Though after a mild fuss and documentary evidence that the papers had been faxed well before the cut off of noon yesterday was presented, it seems there was a change of heart and the nomination was accepted.

And what was the cause of the problem?

Well it seems someone at the slick, well oiled, election winning operation, had forgotten to put any paper in the fax machine...

The election results will be announced on the 27th September once a suitable brewery has been found for the celebrations.

Hilley Running for Deputy

2010-09-06T15:40:00.001+01:00

TBG got to scoop.

Full list published at 5pm apparently.

Cooper Seeks Keys to Office

2010-09-06T10:50:00.002+01:00

Currently going for deputy but sees an opening. He will split the rights vote if he continues his key message that he is sound. Good news for Cameroon Howlett.

Cox Statement

2010-09-05T20:15:00.001+01:00

TB seems to have kicked things into action. These statements were meant to be coming out tomorrow morning apparently:

Today it has been announced that my former opponent, Simon Cavalier Jones, has pulled out of the race to be the next CF Chairman. In addition, it gives me great pleasure to note that he is throwing the whole weight of his campaign team behind Cox2010.

Firstly, I would like to thank Simon for really contributing to the debate about CF's future. He has shown himself to be truly committed to the future of our party and the election campaign so far has been a testament to this. Work for anyone in the current climate must be a priority and I think, though being a difficult decision, Simon has shown great maturity in coming to his conclusion and I wish him the best of luck in his new job.

The fact that Simon has chosen to support me means that one thing is absolutely clear: Cox2010 is the best choice for CF. It has the right values in which to shape CF, it has the determination to succeed, and it has the support to match to act as.

CF is no longer purely in the mindset of winning elections. The Conservative Party is now in government. As a result, as I have said all along, we need to act as an effective pressure group within the party to make sure that we are listened to seriously. That means taking a firm line in opposing the AV referendum, avoiding at all costs the introduction of a grad tax, supporting young people starting up businesses, and making sure CF is a force to be reckoned with.

We must not forget that CF is also a body that needs to foster a sense of fun, and we must be clear that we are all young people. Although politics is important, we must always remember that CF is a place to meet new people, make new friends and have some decent banter. Cox2010 has always encouraged this mindset, and, tempered with my experiences at Nottingham, CF will continue to offer the best there is.

Simon Cavalier Jones has now supported my campaign to become the next Chairman of CF. He, and his campaign team, are now fully on board and helping Cox2010 in anyway they can. I urge you all to follow Simon's lead and support the only campaign that has the experience, dedication and values to make CF an even better organisation. That campaign is Cox2010.

It will be interesting to see how Howlett plays this. He can't ignore it and the SCJ backing brings a northern team and infrastructure to the London based Cox campaign. If Cox wants to take advantage of it, this could be just the shot in the arm that his campaign, and this race, so desperately needed. And that's meant with no offence to Simon. TB wishes him well in the new job. Oh and thanks for lunch.

SCJ Statement: Slams Howlett

2010-09-05T20:03:00.001+01:00

In short.. "New job, no time, Ben played dirty, I like Cox"

Long version:

"Over the past few weeks I have been contemplating withdrawing from the race for CF Chairman. Sadly this is not due to any scandal or interesting revelations in my private life, but due to my starting a new job with a Hedge Fund. Unfortunately this role will mean I have less time available to be involved in political activity. As such I feel the only appropriate thing for me to do is withdraw from the race.

I would like to thank all the people who have helped with my campaign and supporter's, who have shown that CF is in rude health and with the right leadership can only prosper. My sole aim in running was to continue the good work of Michael Rock and see CF develop into a proper organisation, one with unity, purpose and above all a sense of fun.

I will not be seeking any role with the new administration, but I like all true Conservatives do care about the Party and its future. For that reason alone I am backing the only candidate in this race who has proven he has the skills, maturity and strength of character to assume the mantle. That candidate is Craig Cox.

We need a Chairman with the right values, the right sense of direction and somebody with a sense of fun. CF is a Volunteer organisation, it depend's on hard working individuals on the ground not just a central executive. The executive should exist to focus on national issues such as funding, proper communications, training and national events. We can not afford to pander to the pointless bureaucracy advocated by the Howlett camp. CF needs focus and this can only be delivered by Craig Cox.

One of the biggest factor's in my support of Craig is his strength of character. During this campaign, Craig has behaved like a true gent, he has been honest and respectful to all comers. I will not say too much about the other candidate, but I do not believe he has the strength of character or integrity to lead.

I am proud to say that East Midlands and Yorkshire CF are moving across to back Craig, and I urge anybody who was supporting me to do the same."

All to play for...

Simon Cavalier Jones Out of CF Race, Backs Cox

2010-09-05T19:25:00.003+01:00

Expect a statement from Downing Street imminently, great distraction from the old Coulson nonsense.

Unite Against Fashionistas!

2010-09-02T13:37:00.000+01:00

Don't Panic on the English Defence League:

Brilliant. And brave!

Labour Lackies Leap to Lines

2010-08-19T16:34:00.002+01:00

Yes TB is meant to be on holiday but while having a cursory look over Google Reader he did have to chuckle when he read the same story on two of Labour's leading blogs published just minutes apart.

During the election, the left made a huge hoo haa about coordinated attacks from the right and suggested that just because Tory bloggers had a beer together meant that it was all a big right-wing inside conspiracy and we all took orders from CCHQ. Which is bollocks, and why half of them don't return TB's calls anymore.

Over the last few weeks its becoming increasingly clear that the left are guilty of the very thing the riled against. Look at what Political Scrapbook had to say a moment ago, quickly followed by Tom Harris, (a man TB thought above following zee orders):

Coincidence? Perhaps, but given it happens so often, TB would be intrigued to see that email (with the link to the PR Week story they have both cribbed) that inevitably floated around the lefties... Any minute now Left Foot Forward will claim the scoop.

Staycation

2010-08-19T13:09:00.000+01:00

If you hadn't guessed already by the silence TB is on his holidays...Still tweeting though.

AWOL

2010-08-04T19:08:00.001+01:00

Lots of stuff to catch up with when TB has a moment, but in the mean time you can read an interview with him by the charming Jess Freeman from Total Politics here.

Errrr

2010-08-04T15:45:00.000+01:00

Hi, My name is Martha and I'm one of torybear.com readers.

I'd like to thank you for the excellent information I've found
on torybear.com, it's one of my favorite readings on the web.

I live in Globe, Arizona where I have the passion to share
with family and friends some tips to increase awareness on
healthy eating and its impact on the environment.

I figured you might be interested in including a guest article
for torybear.com about a new research from the United Nations (UN) that
suggests a correlation between climate change and meat consumption.

Article in form of a little guide with a sample vegetarian recipe
to help your readers experiencing with this topic and perhaps
discuss the topic at hand.

Please, take a minute to consider this; it would be a pleasure
and honor to contribute!

With your support we can educate the public about the dangers of
excessive meat consumption and hopefully contribute save our environment.

Either way, thanks for reading and keep posting your excellent
information on torybear.com.

Hope you a good week.
Sincerely
Martha Volz

FFS.

Something For the Weekend

2010-07-30T16:59:00.000+01:00

TB is off to deepest darkest Hackney, well Victoria Park rather to see Tiesto tonight... something he has wanted to do for a long time, not least of all because of this little video:

Will try ask the man himself what he thinks...

A Day at the Races

2010-07-30T16:23:00.002+01:00

After a week of side swipes and bitching it's nice to see at least two of the candidates coming out today with some policy ideas.

First this morning we had Craig Cox flexing his sound muscles with a call for young members to back Gove's school reforms and push for the bill to allow Free Schools to make a profit:

"If a restaurant knew for sure that no matter what it did, it would always get 100 customers a day and make enough money to pay its overheads, what incentive would it ever have to make a nicer soup or update the furniture? None. And it's exactly the same with schools."

This afternoon has also seen Ben Howlett release the first batch of his manifesto commitments:

It's heavy on campaigning and pledges to fight AV. The first of ten such documents apparently. Intriguingly a lot of what was discussed by all the candidates at the hustings has made its way into the document, but fair play if you are first out of the block with getting it on paper. The downside is you give your opponents the ammo with which to pelt you with. Hopefully the fight will remain on these issues rather than getting bogged down in bitching as last week did.

A rumour hit TB's phone earlier. A good point raised - nominations haven't even opened yet. Have we seen all the declared candidates...?

Left Hand, Right Hand

2010-07-30T13:27:00.000+01:00

Eric Pickles writes today:

"I’ve set about abolishing all the Rs. Regional Spatial Strategies, regional housing targets, Regional Assemblies, Government Offices for the Regions and Regional Development Agencies. We’ve said our goodbyes. The arbitrary regional tier of government administration and bureaucracy was unpopular, ineffective and inefficient. So it’s the end of regional government: we need a new era of localism. Nowhere is that more important than in the economy."

In other news, the Conservative Party youth wing has locked in a complete regional restructuring in their new constitution. Regional tiers of bureaucracy.

New CF Consitution Sprung on Members- NME stripped to 4

2010-07-30T11:40:00.002+01:00

Just in time for the election a new CF constitution. TB hasn't read it as he has better things to do, but he imagines someone out there will want to:

Let him know if there is anything interesting in it.

CF - News in Briefs

2010-07-29T13:20:00.002+01:00

See The Blue Guerilla's "Where is the Love?"

UPDATE: With regards to the email bitch-fight between Muheed Jeeran and Alexandra Swann that is referenced in tBg's story, Cavalier Jones writes:

"I would like to make it very clear that the only people authorised speak on behalf of my team are, myself and the joint campaign directors: Hamish Stewart and Philip Smith. No other individual has the authority to speak on behalf of the team."

That should end this email nonsense.

Cox says Hiya

2010-07-28T11:57:00.000+01:00

Following the news that general legend Andy Stephenson MP has been made Vice Chairman of the Party, one candidate has been quick off the mark:

Maybe Stephenson should swing by a hustings if he is looking for inspiration about what needs to be done...

CF News In Briefs

2010-07-28T11:05:00.000+01:00

Compare and Contrast

2010-07-28T09:30:00.000+01:00

"I have come to your country in a spirit of humility. I know that Britain cannot rely on sentiment and shared history for a place in India's future. Your country has the whole world beating a path to its door. But I believe Britain should be India's partner of choice in the years ahead. Starting this week, that is what we are determined to deliver." - David Cameron in The Hindu today

"David Miliband was beginning to look as accident-prone as Mr Bean last night after yet another adventure backfired. After ruining his chance of the Labour leadership by gurning at the cameras while brandishing a banana, the Foreign Secretary's visit to India last week was labelled a "disaster" by the country's leading politicians." - The Indy Jan 2009

IPSA Rage

2010-07-27T16:05:00.000+01:00

TB's bag-carrying amigo is raging. The £6.5m omnishambles that is the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has been forced to extend the deadline for MP’s first claims. Initially the organisation had insisted all claims had to be submitted within 90 days, but MP’s are so bemused by the system that most of them are yet to make a claim.

So far just 279 out of 650 MPs have claimed expenses, whereas the rest have funded office equipment, travel and hotels out of their own pockets. The deadline for their claims would be 7th August onwards but IPSA has rushed out a note to say that MP’s will have until 1st October for these first claims.

While TB has little sympathy with many Members, the fact that they can't even run an office is a joke. There is a difference between lining their pockets and actually doing their job. The staffer told him earlier; “We all agree with the new expenses rules, but IPSA itself is an expensive shambles. Anyone wanting to go into parliament today would need at least £10,000 in cash to cover IPSA’s inadequacies. The fact is that the system is confusing and bureaucratic. They need to abolish IPSA asap.”

Sounds like a plan. They should just give them all debit cards from Parliament bank account. Statement published monthly. Simples.

CF News in Briefs

2010-07-27T13:09:00.000+01:00

Howzat?

2010-07-27T11:04:00.001+01:00

Ben Howlett launched his website this morning:

He's also managed to pick up backing of CF stalwart and once blogger Caroline Hunt. Check out his site here.

CF News In Briefs

2010-07-26T18:08:00.002+01:00

Mandatory Self-Promoting Post

2010-07-26T14:45:00.002+01:00

Given TB has dropped from sixth to the twenties on Wikio in the last few months he isn't expecting great things from this year's Total Politics poll. Traffic peaked in the run up to the election with well over a 100,000 pages views every month but obviously the traffic has dropped off with the rate of posting. Either way if you have enjoyed swinging by here then please do vote for TB in the poll... rules below!

Cheers!

It's that time of year again, when Total Politics asks you to vote for your Top 10 favourite blogs. This is the fifth year of the poll. The votes will be compiled and included in the forthcoming book, the Total Politics Guide to Blogging 2010-11, which will be published in September. For the second year running, the poll is being promoted/sponsored by LabourList and LibDemVoice as well as this blog, and that of our publisher, Iain Dale.

The rules are simple.

1. You must vote for your ten favourite blogs and ranks them from 1 (your favourite) to 10 (your tenth favourite).
2. Your votes must be ranked from 1 to 10. Any votes which do not have rankings will not be counted.
3. You MUST include at least FIVE blogs in your list, but please list ten if you can. If you include fewer than five, your vote will not count.
4. Email your vote to toptenblogs@totalpolitics.com
5. Only vote once.
6. Only blogs based in the UK, run by UK residents or based on UK politics are eligible. No blog will be excluded from voting.
7. Anonymous votes left in the comments will not count. You must give a name
8. All votes must be received by midnight on 31 July 2010. Any votes received after that date will not count.

A Comment on Comments

2010-07-26T11:31:00.001+01:00

TB knows that lots of campaigners are all very excited about the CF elections, but such a battle will not be won by bitching about each other in the comments of this site.

Over the weekend one IP address attempted to post 30 comments in favour of one candidate and presented some pretty spurious and libelous allegations. You know who are. If you want to end up in the High Court, go get your own blog.

Moderation is going to be a lot tighter now and repeated offenders will be blocked. TB is all up for hosting a forum for debate, but when it descends into smearing from one camp pretending to be another, save your breath, the comments won't get though.

Here endeth the bollocking. Sorry to get all Tim Ireland on your for a moment.

CF - News in Briefs

2010-07-24T09:00:00.000+01:00

CF - News in Briefs

2010-07-23T16:39:00.002+01:00

As you may have guest TB doesn't quite have the time to blog here like he used to. However in loyalty to those who have been readers from the beginning he is keeping an eye on the growing Tory-bun fight that is brewing over the internal Conservative Future elections. Without time to write vast analysis he will be trying each day to do a News in Briefs about the campaign. If you have any ideas for a good quick forty word hit, then do ping him an email.

Had to start somewhere...

"Would You Like A Chicken Supper Benny H?"

2010-07-23T11:52:00.002+01:00

And so to Mahiki last night for the first of the Conservative Future chairman hustings that was piggy-backing on the Young Britons' Foundation Summer Party. Cocktails were flowing, though compared to years passed it was a relatively sober bout.

That wasn't to stop a howler though...

Questions began with an in-depth discussion on Europe. The floor probed the candidates far deeper than David Cameron was on the issue on the election campaign. Answers ranged from "No" to "Maybe" to "sort of in and out?" Other questions on reform were all rather dull and the usual lines about communications were pushed out.

It wasn't until a cheeky grenade was lobbed in that there was the night's only shocking incident. Candidates were asked "Which politician do you most relate to and respect... in Northern Ireland?"

Given that he was speaking in a room of Thatcherite right-wingers, Ben Howlett's attempt at getting the Fenian vote look spectacularly inappropriate. He cited Gerry Adams as "a conviction politician". Some were left speechless that Howlett, who had used a photo opportunity just 48 hours previously with Lady Thatcher to promote his campaign, endorsed the man who chaired the IRA Army Council that sanctioned the assassination attempt on her at the 1984 Conservative Party Conference in Brighton that left senior Tories dead and disabled for life.

After that the rest of the hustings seemed a little subdued and low-key. TB liked Cox's "Policy not Petrol" sound-bite and Cavalier-Jones did well to hold his own outside of his northern comfort zone and bloc.

Howlett has the chance to try to redeem himself tonight as the candidates will come together again for another hustings at the Barley Mow on the Horseferry Road at 7pm. The event is in aid of Help the Heroes. Once again questions in the comments if you can't make it.

Memo to Howlett - tread carefully.

PMQs Thoughts - Amateur Hour

2010-07-21T12:33:00.002+01:00

Well that was slow, messy, and amateur. Interruptions meant it never really got going but there wasn't exactly much to work with in the first place. It makes you realise just how far Dave has moulded PMQs to his own style and uses it to bash with ease. Clegg's opening joke was cheap and crashed. Not sure about the dissertation line either...

Straw isn't exactly suited to the combat style of PMQs and its pretty embarrassing when you make Harman look good at this. He started too quietly and by the end of his questions he was bellowing and came across rather dreadfully and gruff. Bit jumbled on the substance as well. Think Clegg would benefit from a bit of "practice" at this too despite his scathing put down.

Clegg warmed up once the questions were thrown open to the Backbenches, but the duel is really what mattered. His defence of the coalition at the end was very good, hit the Labour record hard too despite the best efforts of the Speaker.

Once again another piss poor performance from Bercow. Funny he never interrupted Gordon when he went on with reams of tractor stats and obscure defences of Labour's record. Who knows what point Clegg was going to make? He then completely cocked up the fact that Straw had only had five questions, it looked like it was his first time too. And once again he went with the "shut-up because people are watching" line. The public don't hate PMQs battles. Maybe Bercow could explain why it's the only Commons session that people watch? Every week. And enjoy?

CLEGG 3 BERCOW 0 STRAW 2

VERDICT: Dull, amateur, pretty much a draw.

Cox out the Blocks

2010-07-21T10:52:00.002+01:00

Craig Cox has launched this video this morning outlining his supporters and ideas:

"Sound ideology" is quite the dog whistle and intriguing to see a candidate pledging to go up against the government.

While Cox is a late starter, Ben Howlett is still on his nationwide tour, last seen somewhere outside of Scunthorpe "listening". Just kidding, but it looks like he did have an intriguing chat last night. Simon Cavalier Jones is picking up endorsments of branches, but whether they will all fall into line outside of his northern heartland block remains to be seen. Cox's entry has raised the bar for the rest and they need to get their web and media stuff up to scratch quickly, especially Howlett.

There is a hustings tomorrrow. If you can't make it leave your questions in the comments below and TB will see what he can do.

Spot the Tory Mole

2010-07-20T17:29:00.004+01:00

Ed Balls is showing off his London campaign team in a new video:

Not sure who the young Gekko is on the left? He doesn't look too progressive though...

What was that great line? "When I get a hold of the son of a bitch who leaked this, I'm gonna tear his eyeballs out and I'm gonna suck his f***ing skull."

Is Balls training a minion?

UPDATE: Has CCHQ spinner and CF darling Richard Jackson gone rogue?

Drinkies

2010-07-14T13:59:00.000+01:00

Just a quick reminder about next week's YBF summer party:

Date: Thursday, 22 July 2010, 8.00pm
Venue: Mahiki, 1 Dover Street, London W1S 4LD
FREE Mahiki Cocktails – but get there early!
Entry: £20 (£10 for full-time students and graduates)

There is a CF hustings before at 7pm, which as TB is apparently not allowed to chair he will instead ask awkward questions from the back at. All the details and tickets here.

Things will be quiet around here as TB is off to Russia. Back at the weekend...

Simon Says...

2010-07-14T13:53:00.002+01:00

...please chill out.

TB wasn't sure what Simon Cavalier Jones was expecting in this race but:

"It's shocking how tribal and petty these elections have become. Elections should be fun, ideas should be banded about, people should be lobbying candidates and drinking with them. It's amazing the amount of rubbish talked about these Elections and the smearing.

CF should be fun, we after all are the Young Generation, it should be about meeting friends, politics and party's. Not spouting off arrogant nonsense and accusing people of things they have not done. Sadly this behaviour is what drives people away from us and it must stop.

Most people outside of CF see us as about as progressive as Cliff Richard! We need to show that as a Party, we are normal young people and the tone of these elections is not helping. Let's have some fun, have some laughs and reduce the amount of pomp involved. I for one promise to buy a beer for the funniest comment below (for or against me)."

Has that cold feeling of "what have I done?" dawned one of the candidates? Oh well.. will hold him to the beers.

Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Cox

2010-07-13T16:39:00.001+01:00

So the CF bandwagon rolls on. London Spin is putting TB to shame with the coverage though there have been complaints about the accuracy of all the details...

Howlett is racking up the miles, and the bartabs apparently. Activists were left unimpressed when he told an hustings crowd he was going to "feed the parking meter" before attempting to drive to another campaign event elsewhere. "Forgetting" to pay his bill on the way out...

Simon Cavalier Jones has locked in the north if their reactions to visits from Howlett are concerned. His team are picking up momentum. Given the rate of bitchy emails flying about TB would say SCJ is gaining on Howlett who is still the frontrunner mainly on name association. Nothing like a bit of mudslinging to amuse TB.

But that is all set to change as it becomes clear that the rumours are true - Craig Cox, student politics supremo and NUS conversation starter, staffer to various MPs and bit of a lad, is due to throw his hat into the ring.

Cox who has reduced lefties to tears with philibustering NUS debates and adding (literally) hundreds of amendments. He could and probably should write a book on how to piss off student unions. He's not shy of a fight and whilst this is still unconfirmed, Cox's candidacy would certainly liven things up.

CCHQ and the other candidates are going to love the rumour that the slogan is the rather harsh "Cox not Cocks."

Ed Miliband's Racist Staffer

2010-07-09T17:48:00.004+01:00

Remember Seph?

Look where he turned up!

Something tells TB Ed Miliband wouldn't quite concur with the whole "shooting zionists" thing. Oh and that he doesn't vet his staff very well - Seph is "Mr WebCameron" of the campaign. But ever the cheeky one, TB understands he has been, errrr... "hedging his bets" some what. Seph is rather close, in some ways, to the other Miliband camp... just incase.

Awkward....

PMQs Thoughts - Hypocritical Harman and Boorish Bercow

2010-07-07T12:32:00.001+01:00

A strange mood at PMQs today, the leaders were actually quite funny and it was a much less stilted performance from Harman than usual. For a second TB thought that the honourable members had actually listened to Bercow and were chilling out a bit. Harman pulled off the joke about partners and mothers well but Dave was quick on the come back with the CND dig. Harman should know the rules state you leave the mothers out of arguments though.

Although it was clearly a joke, Harman continues to insinuate that Clegg and Cameron are in a gay relationship with her "partner" comparisons. Yes everyone has made the same joke, but this is Ms Political Correctness we are talking about. Imagine is someone made a joke about Harman being a lesbian, there would be outrage from not only her but her army of puppeting drones who weigh in whenever anyone dares to criticise. TB's beef is not with the joke but Harman's hypocrisy.

The good humour couldn't last for long though. The last few Harman questions were back to the more heated exchanges we know and love. Bercow had the audacity to tell the Prime Minister to shut up before he answered a question. He was quick to to defend the PM later, on more than on occasion, seeming like he was trying to make up for overstepping the mark.

The Speaker is on thin ice, he is a servant of the House not a leader. He should not be preaching outside of the House about how members should behave, it is completely outside his rightly limited and focused mandate. He is damaging his authority, a fatal flaw in a Speaker. He wont be able to stay for long if he is pushes his luck too far.

A few interesting questions from the Backbenches, but after a good opening ten minutes, it all tailed off rather.

Dave 4 Bercow 0 Harman 4

Exclusive: Leaked Chapter of Gordon's Book

2010-07-06T12:48:00.000+01:00

The Speccie is reporting that Gordon has been typing 10,000 words a day of his new book. That’s 580,000 words already. Tolstoy took 4 years and 460,000 words to write War and Peace and didn't have the taxpayer subsidising his writing time.

TB's man in the publishing world has slipped him one of the most explosive chapters of Brown's new book which his people are drumming up interest with:

It looks like it's going to be a cracking read.

TV's Shane Greer Cant Stop

2010-07-02T11:43:00.000+01:00

Not content with talking head domination, TV's Shane Greer has taken to doing underwear ads:

Joking apart it seems Peachy Pink have poached the lovely Mrs Greer from the CCHQ digital team and she is now running the social media campaign for underwear company. Pants that smell of peach eh?

As If You Could Ever Forget

2010-06-29T13:57:00.002+01:00

Go behind the scenes of Sky News, on that day:

Very cool.

LBC Tonight

2010-06-28T18:18:00.000+01:00

Tune to the LBC 97.3 if you are in London or listen online here from 8pm to listen to TB having a wee chat.

You can tweet questions and comments to him live via @torybear.

The Perfect Campaign Video

2010-06-28T16:03:00.001+01:00

"I possess a sort of sociopathic narcissism that makes me think I should be in charge of everyone"

Also looks like that baby stole TB's suit.

Tip if the bear ears to Obo.

Questions to Which the Answer is No

2010-06-24T12:48:00.000+01:00

No TB hasn't turned into John Rentoul but he is laughing his head off about one of the most arrogant press releases he has ever received:

"Is this Braintree's next MP?

A 16 year old teenager from Braintree is fast cementing his place among Britain's political elite. Stephen Canning who is studying A levels at Colchester Sixth Form College has been billed as the next potential MP of Braintree or even Prime minister. As founder of the Braintree Youth Council and then Chairman of the Braintree Conservative Future, Stephen Canning quickly rose in the political ranks. But then he got bored. He wanted a bigger challenge. Much bigger. So he asked himself: What are the three largest, most largest, most important, most difficult challenges facing young people? The answer: health, education and crime - then he tried to tackle all three at once.

Braintree, Essex (BCF) June 22, 2010 -- Stephen Canning, a 17 year old student from Braintree has been given a position on the Youth Crime Stakeholder Advisory Group, directly advising the new coalition government on crime policy and implementation, and as an officer of the All Party Parliamentary Children's Group."

It is well worth reading the rest of the cringe-worthily self -congratulating tripe here. So is he 16 or 17?

Press releasing from an email address at thetoryboy.com doesn't help either. Talk about making yourself a target.

Labour's Budget Response:

2010-06-24T10:43:00.001+01:00

Not much has changed has it.

‘Take Back Parliament Sq.’ Protest

2010-06-23T12:02:00.000+01:00

Intriguing press realease TB just got...

Free market protesters are tonight testing the inclusiveness of Parliament Square's 'Democracy Village' by organising an opposing protest there.

Young activists will legally enter the square and provide a vocal and visual challenge to the illegal camp. They will be protesting against the views espoused by the campers, including defending capitalism and necessary action to close the budget deficit.

Organiser Donna Edmunds explains why: "True democracy only happens when a range of ideas are discussed. But the illegal campers in 'Democracy Village' represent extreme fringe opinions. They want an end to Westminster politics, say that the recent election was illegal, and oppose the ownership of property."

"They don't represent democracy - they've hijacked democracy. By camping on Parliament Square, the villagers are stopping other people from being heard by those in Parliament. We all deserve the right to have our views heard, and that's why we're holding them to their promise. There's nothing democratic about Democracy Village."

Might have to swing by the Westminster Arms later and see if it kicks off... 6pm apparently.

Why We Need the EU

2010-06-22T16:01:00.000+01:00

Ever wondered where we could save a little cash? A topical question today. Why not start with the ridiculous amount of money we pour into the European Union. And you're not going to like it when you see just what your hard earned bucks are spent on. TB wonders how long it took, and how much the EU Directorate-General for Infrastructure and Logistics (DG INLO) are paid:

What treat have they prepared for zee useless Parliament staff? Well a slide show of course:

So there we go mes amies, now you know how to use a trunk. Another victory for the Project!

Just incase you forgot...

2010-06-21T12:32:00.000+01:00

...what they said in the election:

TB hopes the coaliton won't be that stupid. The softening up has certainly been sustained over the weekend but you would have thought the hints on VAT would have been stronger to weaken the blows. It's an open goal to the likes of Balls and is a tax that should be being slashed. We need people spending more not less right now. Grumble.

Racy Stacy's Dangerous Divulgence

2010-06-20T14:20:00.000+01:00

Like John Prescott, Stacey Bott (known in Tory circles as Anastasia Beaumont-Bott) just won’t go away. She left the Tory party at the height of the election campaign because of “ingrained homophobia.” Nobody is quite sure why, just months after singing the party’s praises for being so inclusive, she decided to jump ship to Labour. Best estimate is that she no longer felt she was getting the exposure she deserved through being the self styled only gay in the Tory village. And so, with great fanfare, she denounced her former friends and colleagues and took to the stage with David Miliband to tell us all how nasty the Conservatives are and how the Labour party has always been her natural home. Inevitably, even Labour bored of her tokenism and self promotion. You can read some background here.

So how can this political rubix cube propel herself back into the public eye? The answer, obviously, was to sell a story to the Mail about her sex life. Proudly boasting about how Caroline Nokes’s young lover James Dinsalde turned her gay - and on behalf of men everywhere, TB would like to thank him for that. She went on to moan about how he promised her trips to Paris and boasted of his wealth. Yet again, ABB litters the interview with references to her muddled and eclectic sex life. Is she bi? Was she ever gay? Is it all just an elaborate web of “who gives a shit” pre-teen style attention seeking? Who knows, if she is such a lefty now why is she whoring herself to the bastion of the right-wing press?

What we do know though, is that she should be more careful about commenting on other peoples’ sex lives when photos are currently doing the rounds of her engaged in some pretty steamy video chat via MSN . TB has seen these photos, as have most of Westminster. Sailing close to the wind by inviting tabloids to look into her private life much?

The sooner people see through this shameless self-promoting wannabe the better. TB has said it before and will say it again, Labour are welcome to her, though it seems even they are distancing themselves. The sign of the ultimate political failure is when someone starts their own political party. Answers on a post card as to what her political party would be called...

Guest Post: From Opposition to Government

2010-06-20T13:31:00.000+01:00

Outgoing CF deputy chairman Christian May has some advice for whoever will be taking over...

Some things are certain. For example, John Prescott will always have a chip on his shoulder. Ed Balls will always be the least popular politician in the country. Ellie Gellard will always flog dead political horses. And, as surely as dawn follows dusk, Conservative Future elections will descend into spats, blog wars and cliques. I'm not going to condemn this, as it would be hypocritical of me to do so. However, I am going to suggest that for the first time in the history of Conservative Future, something genuinely exciting awaits the new team at the top.

Conservative Future has never existed under a Conservative government. Created in 1998, ours is an organisation that has only ever know opposition. A child of its time and a product of circumstances, CF focused its energy on campaigning - and rightly so. Mark Clarke in particular, and his successor Michael Rock, kept up a relentless focus on CF's role as a campaigning body with one thing in its sights; the general election. The membership, too, understood this need. When I stood for election to the CF Exec, I didn't quite understand that. I made grand statements about how CF should be an "agent of political debate." Etc. I had ideas that we could champion policy issues, raise money, launch campaigns, critique the Party if need be. Whilst these things sometimes developed at a local level, it never became the focus of the National Exec. And nor should it have. I'm pleased to say I quickly realised what Michael knew; that the purpose of CF was to help get Conservative MPs elected. That's what CF helped to do, and that's Michael's legacy.

However, whilst the general election may have marked the end of a project in one sense, it heralds great possibility for the future direction of our organisation. All that is needed is a Chairman candidate who appreciates, and I mean really appreciates, the unique opportunity that faces Conservative Future. Whilst I may be stepping back from CF, I would like nothing more than to see a Chairman who grasps the opportunity to lead a movement of young Conservative activists, free from the shackles of a relentless general election campaign. I'd like to see a Chairman that tirelessly champions the views of the membership, and stands up on issues that matter to them. I'd like to see a chairman that criticises the government if they feel it necessary, whilst promoting the ideas of a free market, a small state, social justice and civil liberties.

All of this is possible in a way that it wasn't during the last 18 months. We had our focus, now you must have yours. So this is my rallying call to chairman candidates; be bold. Be ambitious. Recognise the opportunity you have before you, and sell that vision to the membership with energy and clarity. Enjoy the chance we never had; to be part of a movement that stretches from Downing Street to college campuses. Conservative Future has only ever know opposition. Just think about that, and think about the opportunities it gives a new Chairman.

Two Front-runners

2010-06-18T12:17:00.001+01:00

That pesky London Spin beat TB to reprinting the email to it but this did make him chuckle last night. Simon Cavalier Jones launches his leadership bid for the Tory youth wing in the same building as David Miliband was pitching for some other job:

"Miliband was not best pleased when I told him I was standing for CF chair and then ran away, thanked him for attending my Campaign launch but make it clear his attendance was not necessary."

The EU Don't Want Our Money?

2010-06-18T10:48:00.000+01:00

Yeah right.

Another Hat in the Ring

2010-06-17T17:29:00.000+01:00

Simon Cavalier-Jones is speaking at a big CF area meeting tonight in Leeds. TB understands the will be declaring he is running and giving a speech setting out his plans for CF and then asking for the endorsement Yorkshire CF. In terms of regions Yorkshire is on the biggest and most active and any candidate with their support has to be a runner in this election.

East Midlands CF have already endorsed his candidacy, so we're looking at the prospect of a Northern power base Not much is known about Cavalier-Jones, except that he is 25 and works in consultancy. He worked across the East Midlands on the target seat campaign during the elections. He is certainly looking like the outside candidate and is said to have a fair bit of cash behind his bid.

PMQs Thoughts

2010-06-16T12:23:00.000+01:00

A somewhat old school PMQs today with some heightened exchanges. We're not back to the Dave and Gordon boxing bouts but a certain escalation from the subdued exchanges of the last two weeks.

Cameron's Star Trek joke fell a bit flat but wasn't a patch on the shocking delivery of Harman's lines. She needs to ditch the script and act quicker on her feet. Lots of grumpiness floating around in the chamber. Did that IPSA debate upset a few of the poor dears?

PS. TB will be on Sky News tonight chatting about banking reform with Will Straw from Left Foot Forward. Tune in at 7pm.

A View From the Stump

2010-06-15T11:45:00.007+01:00

So after a certain amount of wrangling TB managed to get a seat at last night's Fabians Society Labour Leadership hustings. After getting over the initial excitement of seemingly making Kerry McCarthy's day, things soon got underway.

What was immediately clear from the outset is Ed Miliband had the crowd, he just had to get close to something that resembled competent rhetoric and they erupted. He was good in a NUS sort of way, though one thing that seriously let him down was his constant muttering and laughing with Ed Balls whenever Diane Abbott was speaking. It looked pathetic and juvenile.

Diane Abbott was able to command the same sort of reaction. Much has been said of Abbott's husting performances and how she is able to "play the room". While yes she was sticking on her safe ground, it wasn't so much that she was playing the room, but that they genuinely agree with her outlook and stance, and she is capitalising on that. The whole event would have been mighty dull without her on the platform, if only for the loss of Balls and David Miliband's constant patting her on the back and painful attempts at trying to share a joke with her.

Andy Burnham was very good in a Home Secretarial kind of way. He isn't going to win but there is passion there. He needs to break away from simply talking about his background and dog whistling certain parts of the movement. It was like watching an early Cameron - nice rhetoric but very little bite.

David Miliband failed to live up to his promised prime-ministerial aura. Whoever is writing his soundbites needs to be taken out and shot. "A living memorial", the "poetry of change", "the two engines of progressive change" etc etc. It weakened what was otherwise a polished performance.

And finally what of TB's favourite candidate Ed Balls? To give him credit he can actually put some passion into his speaking which is more to be said than other mono-toned and dreary platform dwellers. He was desperate to be seen as a normal guy and constantly interrupted with attempted quips and one liners. Most of these fell flat leaving him looking like the guy in a nightclub who is still yelling in a girls ear when the music has stopped.

Balls took a long and deliberate moment to talk of the upset caused by his reputation and the treatment of him by the media and more specifically right-wing blogs. There was no denying he was talking about Guido Fawkes, though it was nice of Ellie and Sally to give TB evils at that point. C'mon guys we are on the same team now.

Balls's should take a long hard think about why those of the right and Tories are so keen to see him elected. Fresh out of his bullying interview at the weekend, he continued to tout for the sympathy vote by essentially saying how upsetting the stuff he reads online is. Which is odd given he has previously denied ever reading blogs.

This "poor me" strategy is weakened further by what Balls's own campaign team are saying. Tom Watson made perfectly clear in a Guardian article that if you can't be heckled by Guido Fawkes you are not fit to be a leader. Ed Balls's media and online reputation is nothing but karma.

Gender equality, Iraq, Electoral Reform, votes at 16, definitions of socialism. All these burning issues were what the candidates had to talk about last night. There were two mentions in the whole evening of the deficit. Labour didn't lose because they lost votes to the Greens and the Lib Dems at the election, (factors discussed,) they lost because people voted for David Cameron instead of Gordon Brown (not discussed.) Not one candidate gave any mention of a plan to make sure Labour win over the floating voters who backed them in '97, '01 and '05 and abandoned them in 2010. Until they address that on the stump, these fifteen odd hustings meetings are nothing but a waste of time, hot air, and anecdotes about their state school educations and SpAd days.

Democrats Getting Tetchy

2010-06-15T10:02:00.000+01:00

A US Congressman assaulting a student?

Lucky he had his mobile phone camera...

Obama's Crude Comparison

2010-06-14T17:25:00.000+01:00

As BP faces up to the reality that its share price has to sustain at least another two months of oil leaking and hurricane season spreading the spill far and wide, the political strategy for dealing with the mess seems more and more muddled by the day. Fresh off the phone from David Cameron, President Obama has walked straight into his next blunder. There has been a huge backlash against his comments comparing the BP oil spill to the 9-11:

"In the same way that our view of our vulnerabilities and our foreign policy was shaped profoundly by 9/11, I think this disaster is going to shape how we think about the environment and energy for many years to come"

You can see why he is so often glued to his auto-cue, almost every time he goes free-style he inserts his foot into his mouth. No end of New York police and fireman are cuing up to tear chunks out of the President for his insensitive remarks. It seems he has replaced his strategy of bashing the British by angering his own country.

A Simple Plan

2010-06-14T10:45:00.001+01:00

The Sunday Mirror had the story of newbie Tory MP Caroline Nokes having an affair with well know tory bad boy James Dinsdale. Many a story about the man has hit TB's inbox about the guy but nothing more than idle, unsubstantiated gossip. Intriguing about the Mirror scoop though was the fact that they knew exactly where to send a photographer and Dinsdale's statement:

Yesterday he said: I can {confirm {Caroline Nokes and I have had a sexual relationship. I have no further comment.

The missing piece to complete the story. So then James how much did you get for selling it yourself?

One Down...

2010-06-10T16:51:00.000+01:00

This just hit TB's Blackberry:

Michelle Donelan will not stand for Conservative Future Chairman due to an impending career move which will act as a huge time constraint and requires her full attention. She wishes the candidates the best for their campaigns and hopes that Conservative Future can grow and flourish under their new Chairman.

Intriguing...

Cuckoo

2010-06-09T17:21:00.001+01:00

Would have said Simon Jenkins has finally lost it, if he hadn't already years ago.

Kids!

2010-06-09T17:15:00.001+01:00

TB is reflecting quite what to do with this blog now work and the real world means his writing energies are exhausted elsewhere. In the meantime he has gone back to his roots and let some discussion about the upcoming elections in Conservative Future. As predicted this has turned into a mud slinging match in the comments. TB has no desire to get sued so if you could all kindly chill the fuck out about something that frankly isn't the end of the world that would be greatly appreciated. Ta.

The election is set to take place now in the last week of September. Confirmed runners Kit Friend, Patrick Sullivan, Simon Cavilier Jones, Michelle Donelan and Ben Howlett. Expecting cover to be broken by most of this lot next week. No wonder wiser and older hacks are calling for the whole thing to be scrapped. TB wondered how long before that debate would rear it's rebellious head again.

PMQs Thoughts

2010-06-09T12:32:00.002+01:00

After the utterly depressing start it was no surprise that today's PMQs was once again a subdued affair. With the excitement going on elsewhere today this wasn't the big show. The Labour Leadership closing nominations coupled with the Select Committee elections means minds were wandering elsewhere.

Harman, despite the best efforts of her comedian staffer, is still looking uncomfortable at the despatch box. She was muddled over redrawing boundaries and her argument was left wide open by the fact Labour had gone ahead with redrawing said boundaries on the very electoral register she now decries. There is a real fear on the left about the re balancing of constituencies. They have gerrymandered and manipulated the inner city system and are realising the game is up. Cue much hysteria.

High point had to be Dave's put down of Balls as the "new Alf Garnett of politics" though there was no subtle smack down of Harman like last week sadly. Balls's face after that was a classic though. The lack of Clegg is a good thing - a broad range of backbench questions certainly makes for a more interesting debate.

An uneventful no score draw though.

UPDATE: Late in the session Dave said the England flag will be flying over Downing St for the World Cup. So nice having a Prime Minister that the sporting world doesn't have to pray won't endorse a team or wish good luck in match. So long curse of Jonah.

Getting the Hang of this Polling Lark

2010-06-04T13:26:00.001+01:00

Last week, KeepRightOnline and TB launched the second straw poll to ascertain the membership favourite for Conservative Future Chairman. A vote is likely to take place toward the end of the summer, and we’ve seen some keen beans off the mark already. Keen bean KRO takes a look at what this all means...

Overwhelmingly, it seems the membership favourite at this point is none of the above, followed by Michelle Donelan current National Executive Press Officer and ex-PPC in Wentworth. Michelle received 15% of the vote, while her closest competitor was none other than some randomer Mr. Harry Cole (11%). (Ed: not going to happen by the way.)

A less than convincing performance for Exec members Chris Hampsheir and Patrick Sullivan, though that’s not to say they’re down or out yet. It’s still all to play for. The middle of the field is tight with the Murdoch pole climber Oliver Cooper pulling in 3rd, Newcy lass Emma Carr in 4th and NUS wannabee Kit (Friend) on the block in 5th. Ben Howlett, who announced his candidacy on Wednesday pulls in 6th place with 8% of the vote – nearly half that of the current favourite. An honourable mention goes to Andy Peterkin, who despite months in the wilderness has commanded 25 votes. Sure he’d say something along the lines of that being proof that there are 25 conservatives left in CF.

What’s interesting is that once again, there are a huge chunk of ‘Other’ votes – going primarily to the relatively anonymous ‘Simon Cavalier-Jones’, who when considered, pulls in 78 votes, pushing him into a healthy second place. Once again, the comedians were out as, ‘The Sexiest Totty’, ‘Scrap CF’ and ‘Al Cooling’ got write-in votes. This time around we asked who should be Deputy Chairman, too. The results of this once again put Michelle Donelan in front (14%), Emma Carr in on 13%, Harry Cole on 11% and Cooper and Friend level on 10%.

Chew that over kids. Wonder if Tweetminster reckon they could predict the result.

And They're Off

2010-06-02T17:18:00.003+01:00

A press release from Ben Howlett's "Press Officer"... In TB's day people sent their own pres... ok ok he won't start:

At 5pm this afternoon an email was sent to the Conservative Party Co-Chairmen Baroness Warsi and Andrew Feldman, declaring that I would be standing as a potential candidate for the position of National Chairman of Conservative Future.

While I know that the election has not officially been called, the campaign appears to have started in earnest. Michael Rock has had a fantastic term of office and I would be proud to succeed him.

Over the weekend an email was sent to over 600 Branch Chairman and Executive Members across the country under the message of “Conservative Future – Your Voice”. I wanted to find out what matters most to Conservative Future members across the country from Aberdeen to Brighton, Wrexham to West Cornwall. These were contact details I have collected over the last 5 years of my involvement in Conservative Future as the President of Durham University Conservative Association and as a Branch Chairman in Essex. The intention was to find out what mattered most to members before I decided to stand for the position of Chairman.

I have only had positive feedback so far, a few people have asked me “why on earth do you want to?” but even they believe I will do a good job, so I would like to take this opportunity to prove them right.

The hundreds of responses to my email so far have all been extremely valuable. These responses will become the basis of a manifesto that will enable their views to be implemented. I will continue this continual engagement by spending the following months meeting branch members across the country, asking them their concerns and ideas.

I promise that I will try my best to reinstate a grassroots organisation and creating an organisation ideologically led by the members, that is why I intend to give Conservative Future back it’s voice.

Interesting he chooses to discuss the positive feedback from the email sent to grassroots hacks. Not sure the Essex councillor would like to read some of the emails TB got about it. TB will let the inevitable cat-fighting run its course without fuelling the fire just yet. Apparently there is some Labour leadership contest on too. Pah.

PMQs Review - Primes Minister's Answers

2010-06-02T15:47:00.000+01:00

A low key start for PMQs, but immediately it was clear that Cameron was careful to be seen to be answering questions given he attacked his predecessor so often for failing to give a straight answer. It was refreshing to see that when he didn't have an answer, instead of spouting reams of tractor stats he simply said he wasn't going to make something up on the spot and would get back to them.

Harman didn't seem as comfortable at the box as she was last week at the Queens Speech debate. Her tactics became clear immediately - she will go every week on the few things that Clegg and Cameron disagree on. A nice touch but will get old very quickly. It seems she will use these few opportunities in the limelight to push her warped sexist agenda which will of course provide a little light relief. She was sticking to a script and if she wants to do well at these bouts she has to be able to break away from the prepared lines - something she was incapable of doing today.

The times they are a'changing. The Commons was calm and people were paying attention. Could well have been to do with the horrendous news breaking from Cumbria or are we seeing a new type of PMQs. Nearly half of the MPs are new members who would have watched the tired old scenes of the last Parliament's PMQs and know how off putting those scenes were. Will they be able to keep it up though? We shall see...

A win for Dave? Yes, but it was hardly a battle. Nice smack down on Harman's last question... more please.

Runners and Riders

2010-06-01T17:58:00.000+01:00

CCHQ will be pleased that there is a big field so far for Chairman of Conservative Future. What could possibly go wrong?

These lot haven't declared officially but TB has seen or heard the makings of their campaigns from:

Michelle Donelan
Ben Howlett
Kit Friend
James Morton
Simon Cavalier-Jones

Rumoured:
Patrick Sullivan
Oli Cooper

Fund-raising has started, though because the campaign is over the summer there will be none of the usual tactic of going to university braches, getting everyone drunk and promising them the world. Candidates are going to have to actually think up new ways of reaching out.

Little disappointed not to see Emma Carr on the list. The straw poll is still running.

Decided first week of September apparently.

A Law Unto Himself

2010-05-30T22:03:00.003+01:00

It could just be wishful thinking after a delightful rosé fuelled afternoon rolling around in the garden, dressed up as a commando, with a six and four year old - but flicking through analysis and comment tonight, TB gets the feeling that things are aligned for a swift return for Mr Laws. Michael Moore shouldn't get too cosy in the Scotland Office.

The Prime Minister's reply to Law's resignation letter was unconventionally warm and the choice of Danny Alexander as a replacement for the Chief Secretary job is mind boggling. If the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner taps Laws on the knuckles, or clears him, could we see the former head of communications for the Cairngorms National Park, Danny Alexander, a man of no discernible talent or economic ability, return from whence he came and Mr Laws pick up his axe from where he left off? Fingers crossed.

There are four must read pieces that have emerged in the last 24 hours re David Laws:

Fraser Nelson says:

This whole story is a tragedy. No one, in any party, can doubt that an honourable and able man has gone. Those who had wanted fast fiscal consolidation have lost a trusted advocate. The government will be all the weaker for it.

James Forsyth follows his boss:

The other person in the government who could do the job—Phillip Hammond—can’t because he is a Tory and the role is reserved for a Lib Dem. With the best will in the world, it is hard to imagine that Danny Alexander will be able to do the job with the ability that Laws was doing it.

Matthew Parris is bang on the money:

Of course Mr Laws made an error of judgment. Hundreds of MPs have cocked up badly as parliamentarians scramble to keep abreast of violent and bewildering changes in the national mood. The present Defence Secretary handed back £22,000 in March. Hundreds have made repayments.

Meanwhile, other MPs across the United Kingdom are living, with a declared partner, in accommodation wholly or partially funded by the taxpayer — entirely within the rules.

Even old lefty Sir Michael White is upset:

So I regret his going and hope the Telegraph's more thoughtful readers are as unimpressed as I am. Perhaps the newspapers really are losing the plot in their – our – battle to retain sales share.

Bad Day for Country, Coalition and Telegraph

2010-05-30T01:55:00.013+01:00

Last year The Telegraph undertook a fantastic public service in blowing the lid off the murky cover-up of MPs expenses. Without bias they gave all barrels to all guilty politicians of all colours. However it seems they haven't been quite as open and honest in their tactics as it first seemed. Why did they not unveil these details about David Laws when they were orgasmically pushing their "Expenses Files" a year ago? Could it have been that it wasn't quite deemed a big enough story? A minor infraction of the letter of the rules rather than some of the shameless abuse and flagrant fraud that went on elsewhere? Could it be that Mr Laws was clearly not gaining financially from the situation, in fact taking a cheaper option than renting his own flat? Or could it be that they are now willing to do someone's dirty work using their information to carry out political vendettas?

It now seems The Telegraph are happy to play politics with their small, but very powerful, memory stick. Since Laws became Chief Secretary hacks have seemed desperate to out him. TB hopes Holly Watt and Robert Winnett are feeling very smug and happy tonight. There is no doubt this story would have been tiny if the underlying aim hadn't been pointing a finger and screaming "SECRET GAYER!" If you have any doubt look at the headline of the original story. "Treasury chief David Laws, his secret lover and a £40,000 claim" - a sensationalist outburst worthy of the tabloids with a very carefully chosen order for the allegations. As for the £40k figure? TB can't get his head round that either - it was legal to pay rent to a dubiously named "partner" until 2006. So between 2001 and then Laws was claiming legally. So presumably the £40k figure mentioned included those legal payments. Though this is hardly surprising given the fact the story was a thinly disguised excuse at outing Laws.

It is no surprise that The Telegraph won the race to expose - they are now abusing their position as the leading light in the expenses fight. Without access to those files they wouldn't have the crucial name of the landlords, but it beggars belief that they found the link by themselves. Still the expenses scandal drags on, but now more viciously than the infringements deserve. The Telegraph need to release the rest of the expenses files so this scandal, thought dead, can be buried once and for all. The drip drip has to stop - it is fundamentally unfair- damn them all or damn none, don't play politics with timing and picking and choosing victims to fit agendas.

The economic security of the country has been undermined by The Telegraph's ego and flogging of a dead horse. The General Election was meant to clear the air, but it seems the Telegraph are still sitting on much much more than they let out originally. A line needs to be drawn under this scandal and if Laws's position was untenable, the many of the blue and red front-benches should also be hounded out of office too. But hold on, they weren't choosing to keep the fact that they were gay out of the soiled pages of the newspapers.

One thought that TB can't get out of his head is this whole affair reeks of a stitch up. Who tipped The Telegraph to the name of the landlord/boyfriend? Who might have know about the former Chief Secretary's expense arrangements? Former deputy leaders and presidents of parties are privy to that sort of information about their MPs. Who is on internal party manoeuvres? Who is in cahoots to see the left of Liberal Democrats have a stronger voice? Who are more opposed to the right-wing Laws than the likes of Vince Cable and Simon Hughes, both rocking the boats behind the scenes. Just sayin'.

As you might be able to tell TB is still seething about the fact Laws had to go though he sees why this honourable man felt he should go. Yes he was stupid, but on the scale of the expenses scandal this was not a resigning issue. His swift return is needed for the country and coalition, the figures being discussed for Laws pale in comparison to the figures he was slicing off the deficit. Osborne put it perfectly that he seemed to be put on the earth to undertake the drastic reforms and cuts needed to the state, Danny Alexander looks like a simpleton in comparison and there is no way the Emergency Budget is going to be as successful as it would have been under Laws's careful eye. Laws in the Treasury was by in far the best thing about this coalition and now that has been shattered. In a desire for a quick scoop and cheap thrill The Telegraph have really blundered this time. Two people that are sadly missed - Will Lewis and David Laws.

♫ And you're working for no one but me... ♫

2010-05-28T11:04:00.001+01:00

Taxman!

Kiddy Polling

2010-05-27T16:57:00.001+01:00

Keen bean Keep Right Online has prepared another poll for the Conservative Future election. TB hears that the ballot won't be for awhile, but the handover is ideally planned for conference.

There is some debate that the whole thing should be done online to save money on mailing out 20,000 ballot papers. TB is inclined to agree. Apparently this is "unconstitutional" though. Seeing as the constitution has been ignored for the last ten years why the sudden concern?

Either way,have your say on who you will back here:

www.conservativefuture.info

The site will be polling for a week.

Quote of the Day - Tin Foil Hat Edition

2010-05-27T14:12:00.000+01:00

"I'm also of sound mind; it's the situation that's crazy"

-The water tight defence of definitely-not-a-nutter Tim "Manic" Ireland who proves he isn't an obsessive by sending two thousand word long emails.

Winner

2010-05-27T14:07:00.001+01:00

"I wonder if I could persuade David Laws to defect to the democrats"

Congratulations to "Uncle Bob" who wins the tickets to tonight's debate. Email TB Bob and he will sort you out with Intelligence2.

A Win Win Situation, Sort Of

2010-05-26T14:33:00.003+01:00

Given Obama seems to have enough problems trying to fix a hole, who knows how he will react if North Korea shell Seoul. Tomorrow evening Intelligence2 in collaboration with BBC World News will be hosting a debate at the Methodist Hall. "Obama’s foreign policy is a gift to his enemies" could get pretty heated.

Speakers for the motion are:

General Jack Keane
Retired four-star general, former
Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army
and a key strategist in Iraq.

Bill Kristol
Conservative political commentator,
and founder and editor of The
Weekly Standard magazine.

Con Coughlin
Executive foreign editor of the
Telegraph and expert on the Middle
East and Islamic terrorism.

And against...

Simon Schama
Professor at Columbia University,
broadcaster, critic and contributing
editor at the Financial Times.

Bernard-Henri Lévy
France's leading philosopher and a
publisher, novelist, journalist and
filmmaker.

Philip Bobbitt
Herbert Wechsler Professor of
Federal Jurisprudence at Columbia
Law School.

It will be chaired by Zeinab Badawi one of the BBC World News presenters. Full details about the event can be found here.

TB has a couple of tickets worth £50 up for grabs for the wittiest person who tells us before tomorrow lunchtime what POTUS is thinking...

Stephen "Fairy" Pound

2010-05-25T16:20:00.002+01:00

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Stephen Pound is a foul mouthed bruiser. You should have heard him at the otherwise serene Parliamentary Pancake race. So what a surprise:

"Labour MP Stephen Pound has been accused of calling Arsenal’s former England defender Sol Campbell a “fairy” during a recent Premier League football match.

The recently re-elected Labour politician is said to have made the homophobic remark when his football team, Fulham, failed to overcome rivals Arsenal during a game at the Emirates Stadium in North London, last weekend.

The 61-year-old was heard making a string of offensive remarks whilst ranting from his £35,000-a-year executive box."

Charming. Cue lefty outrage.. oh wait.. no, silence? Of course.

What You Pay For

2010-05-25T14:39:00.000+01:00

Here's a corker from a BBC hack. Right now beeboids are having lessons on how to use... wait for it.. Twitter:

Maybe Osborne and Laws should be sent round to White City with their axe.

Nice Work...

2010-05-24T16:09:00.000+01:00

If you can get it:

IPSA - while meant to be cleaning up MPs expenses has had a PR disaster of a first week back at school. No wonder they need a spinner, but is paying them more than an MP really appropriate?

Polls'n'Stuff

2010-05-24T11:05:00.001+01:00

Look away now if you don't care, but if traffic levels are anything to go by on that poll last week the CF traffic on this site is more than ever. Over to KRO for some analysis.

So, the poll’s closed and the results are in. Non-Conservative Party member Sara Scarlett (ineligible) has romped home to victory in our straw poll in association with ToryBear.com. But what do the results really tell us?

Firstly, it appears some people on all sides had people attempting to rig the results in their favour. It’s a good thing we weren’t born yesterday. The candidates may or may not have known about these attempts but nonetheless the results you see in front of you reflect the polling after duplicates (triplicates, decuplicates etc) were factored out.

Secondly, the vote seems to tell us that the ‘Other’ category for write-in candidates will command a huge portion of the real results, which is thought to be put to vote in September. Many people are undecided, while some write-in candidates include:

- Andy Peterkin

- Tory Bear

- Rowan Cole (?)

And a few people thought they were funny, with Margaret Thatcher, Obo the Clown, A Low-Fat Yoghurt and ‘Scrap CF’ being called to stand. One that tickled this editor was ‘Tory Twat Bear’. Some people are far too witty.

Thirdly, of those eligible to stand, it looks like Emma Carr has the momentum at this point. The North-Eastern lass is well known for her effective and tireless activism. Disappointments may be in store for some potential candidates who thought they would have been able to sweep the board on this one. Time will tell.

T'wireless

2010-05-20T17:22:00.000+01:00

TB will be on LBC for an hour at eight. You can listen here.

Utter Balls

2010-05-20T16:19:00.000+01:00

TB was gearing up to rip chunks out of this vomit inducing piece on the Guardian website by Ellie Gellard:

I am well aware that Ed Balls is not the most popular candidate for Labour leader. Vilification by the rightwing press has led to an image of Balls which many who know him personally, many of whom I’ve spoken to, do not recognise. This will be an opportunity for the public to see the real Ed. Quite simply, it will be a cold day in hell when Labour party members choose our leader based on his popularity in the sections of the media we rightly loathe. Ed has the hunger, the drive and the fire in the belly to lead our party back into Downing Street. It is perhaps just that which the rightwing media fear.

However it seems Toby Young has beat him to it:

Allow me to correct this misapprehension. The truth is that most rightwing commentators would dearly love to see Ed Balls as the next Labour leader. Not only does he come across badly on television – a Stalinist thug trying, unsuccessfully, to seem human – but he’s fatally tainted by his close association with Gordon Brown. He would be a terrible electoral liability, worse even than the insufferably smug Diane Abbott. Next to him, Michael Foot seems positively Churchillian.

The problem is. he produces such an instant, visceral dislike that we find it impossible to stop ourselves pointing out how ghastly he is. We all recognise, I think, that we should either keep quiet or relentlessly attack his politics, allowing the Ellie Gerard’s of this world to portray him as the leadership candidate we fear the most. But we simply can’t repress our violent hatred of the man. To adapt a phrase of Edward Heath’s, he is the unacceptable face of socialism.

What he said.

Where's Yvette?

2010-05-19T17:00:00.002+01:00

As Iain Dale said... judge a man by the company he keeps. So it's no surprise then that Ed Balls has secured the backing of Kerry McCarthy. There are 13 Labour MPs now backing Balls.

Vernon Coaker (Gedling)
Sharon Hodgson (Washington & Sunderland West)
Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West)
Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East)
Iain Wright (Hartlepool)
Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North)
David Wright (Telford)
Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham Perry Barr)
Andrew Gwynne (Denton & Reddish)
Helen Jones (Warrington North)
Eric Joyce (Falkirk)
Dave Anderson (Blaydon)
John Robertson (Glasgow North West)

Aren't we missing someone there? Is there a reason his MP wife isn't on the list?

On the day of his big launch, here is some information you might like to know about Ed Balls:

Just sayin'.

A Very Scarlett Coup

2010-05-19T15:49:00.003+01:00

Though in no way is TB as accurate as someone like err Tweetminster of YouGov at predicting election outcomes, the straw poll released this morning about the old upcoming CF Chairman election has thrown up some interesting results:

The coalition is deep and strong! Sara Scarlett, a Liberal Democrat libertarian is way out in front despite never having actually defected. There was talk of it once but now the two parties are in coalition what's the point? Something tells TB the old guard in Conservative Future wouldn't put up with it in reality.

In all seriousness TB is up for one lass hurrah in terms of kid politics by covering this election along with Keep Right Online. The lovely Emma Carr seemingly has a strong chance if she were to run. It looks like it could be a big field and the showing in this early poll for "Other" is very high.

A Liberal Democrat take over of the youth wing of the Conservative Party? What larks.