Cameron orders Cabinet to join Oldham campaign
David Cameron has told every Conservative member of the Cabinet to campaign in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, a very senior Tory source told me tonight.
The prime minister - very unusually for a PM - has already confirmed he plans personally to campaign for the Conservative candidate in the by-election, and it is thought he will do so in the New Year.
But the Conservatives have faced wide suspicions that they are deliberately soft-pedalling on the by-election so as not to embarrass the Liberal Democrats.
But the prime minister's orders to his Cabinet colleagues to join him in Lancashire may allay the fears of Tory activists that their candidate is not getting proper support from the party high command.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 21st Dec 2010, sevenstargreen wrote:"...so as not to embarrass the Liberal Democrats".
Methinks Vince Cable has already done that in spectacular fashion.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 21st Dec 2010, JunkkMale wrote:Might one suggest that, as a news year's resolution, at least a couple of 'stories' actually have attributed, substantiated quotes from actual people?
Which would be nice.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 21st Dec 2010, stevie wrote:keep it up Vince...and you might be 'popular' again...
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 21st Dec 2010, barriesingleton wrote:WILL DAVE BE PRESENTING HIS EVERY-DAY FACE TO THE ELECTORATE, OR THE ONE HE MADE EARLIER (THAT LOOKS A WHOLE LOT MORE ATTRACTIVE)?
Were I campaigning for anything, the last person I would want supporting me (well - perhaps after Tony and J Gordon Brown) would be shape-shifter Dave. If I were to alter my face to that extent, my passport would be void!
The link above is to the Mirror - a Labour paper. I do hope they have the nous to put Dual Dave up, all over Sad and Old. It should really damage the Tories and not do a lot of good for the LibDems, by association - or do I mean by coalition?
WE HAVE GOT OURSELVES A BOGOF
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)