What's up with Jon Craig?

The Sky News political team are normally very neutral, bordering on friendly to the Party. Apart from the odd blip of pissing off Dave in the early days they are on the whole a good bunch.

What has happened though today to Jon Craig? Firstly he

laid into

George Osborne this morning, giving him a solid kicking while he was down and dog whistling the class card with a dig at his full name. Then this evening he actually slipped the words

"tory toff"

into a piece in all seriousness. He seems to have it in for Osborne especially at the moment and generally seems to be leading the media in turning on the tories.

Has Mandy found a little friend to whisper to at Sky?

Guest Post - YBF

TB caught up this morning with Christian May from the Young Britons' Foundation who offers this insight into their 5th annual conference at the weekend.

This year's YBF5 was the best yet. Nearly 100 activists (including three former National CF Chairs, a host of seasoned CF activists and loads of new faces) were joined at Wellington College by leading figures from the Conservative Party and the wider conservative movement. Highlights included:

- David Davis talking about the importance of freedom and liberty

- Iain Duncan Smith passionately reminding us why social justice is a conservative priority

- John Whittingdale OBE MP talking about his memories of the Thatcher years at the Eric Forth Memorial Dinner

- Douglas Murray delivering his chilling assessment of the state of the world

- Eric Pickles talking frankly about public sector language - apparently the only stakeholder he has any time for is Van Helsing

- Iain Dale's media training

- Matt Richardson, of YBF's Legal Support and Advice Unit, talking about how YBF's legal team can help you out on campus.

- Ed Vaizey stressing the importance of 'appearing normal' to the public

- Nigel Evans reminding us to never, ever give up

Feedback from the attendees has been really encouraging - showing not only an increase in support for YBF but for conservative politics amongst the youth in general. Here's a sample of the comments:

"My impression of YBF has very much improved - I am now an evangelist!"

"I love you guys!"

"YBF is going from strength to strength."

"My impression has really improved - morale here is brilliant."

"This was my first YBF event so I had no idea how organised YBF would be. Having been here for the weekend I can say I'm really impressed."

"I've always had a high opinion of YBF but it has improved due to the high quality of the whole conference."

"I'm inspired. Very impressive speakers, friendly people and great fun."

"I had very little knowledge of YBF before this weekend, but have been hugely impressed by its ethos and the work that it does."

"The conference exceeded all expectations - the speakers were brilliant."
"I'm new to YBF so wasn't sure what to expect, but I've got a lot out of it and have really enjoyed it."

There was also a lot of interest in YBF's Summer 2009 USA Conference Tour. Details of this are to follow.

Donal and I would like to thank all those that attended and helped to make this weekend the success that it was. Plans are now coming together for YBF's Christmas Party. Watch this space.

A monday morning treat...

Look what Tory Bear managed to dig up to brighten up your day...



A true gem... IDS and Peter Stringfellow... That conference speech... Action Abercorn!

Truly a piece of Conservative history...

Friends in high places...

Not everyone seems to have descended on Wellington this weekend for the YBF gig, it seems Conservative Future's rebel alliance had talking to do with a certain someone...

It's great to see CF throwing their weight behind George Osborne in the wake of last weeks non-story and completely stage managed declaration of war. Despite dealing with the Dark Lord Mandleson on a daily basis and being Shadow Chancellor, George stopped to chat about the inner workings of Conservative Future with two of it's executive. Chairmanship elections, CF's success and possibly even a whisper of reforms that which will not be named was overheard by TB's ear at the Tatton Association dinner.

Osborne apparently still keeps a membership card in his wallet that was given to him by the CFer who founded his fan club. It's fantastic news to know that despite the moaning that CF isn't taken seriously enough by CCHQ, the top of the party, or at least very very close to it, still keeps enough of an eye on us to be able to hold a detailed conversation. This weekend has proved the high figures in the Party and the movement are taking young conservatives seriously, not just at the YBF conference but around the country, and now the ball is in our court. CF has potentially 18 months to the general election and needs to whip itself into shape and build the ground army, Obama style, to teach the doubters in the party one hell of a lesson...

TB is not sure if £50,000 was solicited from Mr Patrick Sullivanovitz...

The Eric Forth Award

Congratulations to Matt Sinclair and Mark Wallace who won the

YBF Eric Forth Award

this year. Their fantastic work for the

Tax Payers' Alliance

is outstanding and their work for the movement is second to none.

By all accounts the YBF5 conference was a roaring success...

TB is very sad he couldn't be there.

The coolest barn ever?

TB is tired after a great weekend of canvassing and the campaign launch party last night in Perth and North Perthshire...

Tory Bear wants the banner...

Conservative loses his way...

Who got a little confused with their SatNav when going to pick up a couple of YBF5 delegates from Wokingham Station?

You will end up in Woking (some 45mins drive away,) if you only type in the first five letters of your destination...

Wonder what the race would look like now...

...if Ron Paul had won the Republican nomination:



"Not the old way, not the same way but a new way..."

Is the campaiging just beginning for Sarah?

The Atlantic think so...

PILF.

Edinburgh University Conservatives officially endorse McCain/Palin

The newly rebranded

edconservatives

have written to McCain HQ officially endorsing the Republican ticket.

Dear John and Sarah,

It with great pleasure that the Edinburgh University Conservatives would like to officially endorse your ticket for the President and Vice President of the United States of America. Though the nearest American city is over 3,000 miles away we can assure you that we at Edinburgh University have been following closely the developments of this most interesting presidential race. It saddens us to see the amount of popular support your opponent receives, both in America and abroad, as we experience daily the infringements and wrongdoings of a strong, leftist state. We can only hope that the American people look to their history and realize that only a President McCain is capable of ensuring the protection of those liberties and values that, born here and matured in your great country, are the pillars of Western liberalism. On behalf of the Edinburgh University Conservative and Unionist Association we would like to wish you and your campaign all the best in these final weeks.

Your friends

Harry Cole and Ed Kozak

Chairman and Vice Chairman

In a move that will no doubt cause controversy on campus, the Edinburgh tories are once again raising their profile in the student press. Along with building a very effective flying campaign squad designed to aid the five Edinburgh city candidates, edconservatives also have a highly efficient media team.

Talking to the student press Vice Chairman Ed Kozak said:

'It really disturbs me how blindly people support Obama in this race, a man who not only has ties to a domestic terrorist but who also was a registered member of the New Party, a front for the Democratic Socialists of America (before, during, and after his Senate campaign). What disturbs me even more is how people are blaming the Republicans for the current financial crisis. It was a Democratic president, Jimmy Carter, who brought in the Community Reinvestment Act forcing banks to lend to high-risk individuals. It was a Democratic president, Bill Clinton, who enlarged the CRA in 1995 allowing for the securitisation of CRA loans that included subprime mortgages. It was the Democratic Candidate for President, Barack Obama, who in 1994 was involved in a lawsuit against CitiBank for not issuing enough subprime loans to high-risk individuals. It was the Democrats who blocked Bush's efforts in 2003 to create a new department within the Treasury to supervise Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And it was the Democrats who blocked John McCain's attempt to introduce similar legislation, the Housing Enterprise Regulatory Act, in 2005.'

All coverage is good coverage eh?

Tory Bear urges all other unversity branches to get writing to McCain...

An unexpected surprise...

Tory Bear is rather chuffed to have been nominated for the Eric Forth Award for Activism...

Eric Forth was one of the true characters of British politics. A House of Commons man to his core, Eric not only knew parliamentary procedure inside out but he knew how – and when- to use the rules to maximum advantage. Eric was a committed Thatcherite and an admirer of Ronald Reagan. As Chairman of Conservative Way Forward and an advisor and friend of The Young Britons’ Foundation, Eric championed limited government, traditional values, freedom and the Trans-Atlantic Special Relationship. A man of principle, determination and courage, Eric Forth knew how important it was to be an effective activist and advocate for radical change. On Eric’s premature death in 2006, The Young Britons’ Foundation inaugurated an annual award to be given to the young conservative activist whose attitude, ethos and effectiveness best mirrors the values, beliefs and achievements of Eric – The Eric Forth Award for Activism.

TB is up against some very tough compitition but is very grateful to have even been nominated!

Here is the full list of nominees:

James Morton, for his excellent work in revitalising Conservative Future across Devon and Cornwall. James has shown great innovation in terms of fundraising and the number of new branches in the region is testament to his hard work, and that of his committee. Devon and Cornwall CF are also hosting a charity fireworks night in aid of Help for Heroes – an excellent example of activism.

Oliver Cooper, for his passionate defence of libertarian principles. Since returning from YBF’s US trip this Summer Oli has founded Students for Freedom and is planning a series of events to promote and defend libertarian ideals.

XXXXX XXXX, for he is none other than the infamous Tory Bear – purveyor of rumour gossip and intrigue, and defender of the sense of humour.

Ed Hallam and Tarasyn Whitehead-Patey, for their superb blog TheYoungConservative. Inspired by the time with YBF in the United States this Summer, Ed and Tarry have launched a blog aimed at bringing together and promoting all aspects of the young conservative movement.

Sonia Chohan, for her exemplary work as a CF Area Chairman. Who could forget such stunts as nominating Brown for a Guinness World Record as ‘worst Rogue Trader’ for selling our gold reserves at an all time low?

Matthew Richardson, in recognition of his past achievements as CF National Campaigns Director. During his time on the Exec , Matt oversaw an excellent record of national campaigns.

Liza Chantelle, for her inspirational work in social action. Liza’s energy and enthusiasm are to be commended.

Peter Cuthbertson, for his excellent work in promoting the Special Relationship between the UK and the US through AmericaInTheWorld.com

Mark Wallace and Matt Sinclair for their superb work at the TaxPayers’ Aliiance. The TPA is now the first place the media go when they want to talk about tax and government waste, and Mark and Matt have been instrumental in the organisation’s growth and success.

Obama stamps on the little guy...

Read and weep

Revenge...

Lord Machivelli's tongue has managed to land George Osborne in

all sorts of trouble today

. However as things stand this is more a warning shot than anything more damaging. Osborne has

taken the press

head on and in doing so openly declared war, this could well end up in the courts. However Mandelson hasn't exactly been subtle about this one - going around swearing revenge and then a week later creating this storm doesn't exactly create much of a cover. The intriguing part of this little episode is Nat Rothchild's role - why would Osborne's old friend and fellow Bullingdon boy turn on him like this?

The poison Mandelson drips must be highly potent stuff...

Either that or he has some very powerful friends...

The Tory Bear TV manifesto

Along with the makeover of the site, Tory Bear has also been focusing on getting TBtv off the ground. TBtv is your platform to show exactly what the wider conservative movement is up to, what is going on behind the scenes and what is going on around the country. Please contact editor@torybear.com if you want to get involved. TB is looking to create a platform for all of your submitted videos. If you have any ideas, big or small, get in touch...

This video got TB in a bit of copyright trouble because of the music he wanted to use. The music as it is was not the first choice. Check out this

rousing tun

e which was on the original call to arms...

McCain's daughter...

Meghan McCain, potential first daughter,

blogger

and hotty has promised to get a tattoo should her father win...

Suggestions on a postcard...

New Site Feedback

Please send your thoughts and views on the new site layout to editor@torybear.com

YBF5

Last chance to get your tickets for YBF5 - this coming weekend you could not only get some of the most comprehensive media and campaign training going but also spend a weekend with David Davis and some of the biggest names of the conservative movement...

What are you waiting for?

New Bear

As you will see Tory Bear has undergone an overnight makeover. TB is very grateful for the services of

Mike Rouse

who has done a fantastic job.

For those of you who might be interested Mike explains some of the technical aspects to the redesign:

"One of the many freelance things I’ve been busy on recently is a new template for Tory Bear. I had the great honour of going to the Bear’s party at conference after being commissioned and it was a great insight into the potential future that lies ahead for this blog. The bear understands branding - hence the heavy use of the blue teddy bear graphic through the blog.

The colour scheme we agreed on was, naturally, blue with white, and few shades of grey. This keeps the blog looking simple and spacious, yet the blue is the dominant colour. It’s designed for resolutions 1024×768 and higher running on Firefox 3, Internet Explorer 7 and/or Google Chrome/Safari. I’ve tried to accomodate Internet Explorer 6 users as much as I can, but ultimately you guys are going to have to

upgrade your browser

sooner or later.

This job also required me to work with Google AdSense and ensure good placements for adverts. There’s a 768 Leaderboard at the top of the blog and a 300 x 250 Rectangle underneath the video player, which itself is a YouTube video embedded in a DIV that’s got a background image of an old TV-video combi with some minor modifications. The downside, however, is that the YouTube video has to be resized in the HTML, but this is made easy with Blogger.com’s “Page Elements” editor. My customer doesn’t have to touch the raw HTML at any point.

There are two sidebars underneath ToryBearTV and the advert. One is big enough to accomodate a standard Skyscraper banner and is better suited to things like archives and small videos as well as a few widgets. The other can contain some small adverts and is suited to links and buttons.

The main post area uses some bold text for headlines and is plenty big enough for images and videos to be included in posts. Comments pop up in a new window, so no real work has been needed there.

In all, I am pleased with the outcome thus far, but warn that the job is not yet 100% finished. When is a website ever finished?! I’m hoping to spend some time over coming weeks tweaking the sidebars and other elements, but need to see what feedback comes in first.

I hope you enjoy reading the blog and like the new design. Your comments are very welcome."

TB is well chuffed with the new design and hope you all like it...

Remember remember the 5th November...

TB is plotting a thing or two to celebrate the 5th November up in Scotland. Think big rally, angry students, NO2ID, details to follow...

However for those of you who will be in London that afternoon TB suggests you checkout the gloriously free spoken

Old Holborn

or the

Devil's Kitchen

for how you spend you Wednesday lunchtime...

TB will give you a clue though...

Change: You will be made to believe in.

So McCain has finally

said

what we all know and all fear - essentially that Obama is a socialist and his policy and manifesto reflect this fact. The two pronged attack of distancing himself from Bush and dogwhistling the Republican grass-roots in this way might, might start closing the gap on Obama in those key swing states. However McCain is going to have to pull something pretty special out of the bag in the next three weeks to salvage this.

Speaking today McCain said "Raising taxes on some in order to give checks to others is not a tax cut; it's just another government giveaway."

An Obama spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UPDATE: 21.00 - According to Drudge Obama can't even be bothered to

sing the National Anthem

at his campaign events.

Maybe his wife isn't proud enough yet...