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Dan Beckham
Altrincham
Recent Activity
Cameron must stay pragmatic in this debate. If terrorists strike and Cameron has been removing security service powers he'll pay a political price.
Commented Oct 31, 2010 on Will Cameron curb the "judicial jihadists" so that the security services can hunt down the real jihadists? at thetorydiary
Will Cameron curb the "judicial jihadists" so that the security services can hunt down the real jihadists?
By Tim Montgomerie Behind the News of the World's paywall is an article by David Cameron that pays handsome tribute to Britain's security services in the wake of the foiled cargo plane bombing. "We have some of the finest intelligence and counter-terrorism services in the world," he writes. He...
Terrible poster.
Too defensive.
It plants the idea of Labour's message.
Commented Apr 11, 2010 on Scottish Conservatives launch 'Don't listen to Labour' poster at thetorydiary
Scottish Conservatives launch 'Don't listen to Labour' poster
Over on LeftWatch I highlighted Labour's latest scare campaign - frightening people at risk from cancer. In the same LeftWatch post I note a number of other examples of Labour's dirty tricks campaigning. The Scottish Conservatives have this morning launched a poster to rebut Labour's scare stori...
I fear Cameron will regret suicidally giving Clegg an equal standing at the debates. He might have made the Liberal Democrats a permanent part of British politics.
Commented Apr 11, 2010 on How do you solve a problem like the Liberal Democrats? at thetorydiary
How do you solve a problem like the Liberal Democrats?
After one day off, Nick Wood's High Noon column is back. At the last election, the Liberals polled 22 per cent of the vote and secured 62 seats. Currently, according to ConservativeHome's poll of polls, they are scoring 20 per cent and seem on course to secure a similar number of MPs. So how i...
I'm a bit worried that we're only 7% and 8% ahead after such a good period of news coverage. Where will our lead be after we've had a bad week?
Commented Apr 11, 2010 on Seven Eight out of eight pollsters predict Tory majority at thetorydiary
Seven Eight out of eight pollsters predict Tory majority
The predictions are given to the Independent on Sunday: Andrew Hawkins, ComRes: Con majority 32 Ben Page, Ipsos-MORI: Con 25 seats short of overall majority See update below. Andrew Cooper, Populus: Con majority of 10+ Peter Kellner, YouGov: Con majority 20-30 Robert Salvoni, Harris Interactive...
Fntastic
Commented Mar 28, 2010 on Seven out of ten working people will be better off if Cameron becomes Prime Minister at thetorydiary
Seven out of ten working people will be better off if Cameron becomes Prime Minister
ConservativeHome was the first to say that it would happen and tonight it's confirmed; the Tories will reverse the lion's share of Labour's planned increase in National Insurance Contributions (reportedly at a cost of £6bn). We have to wait for details until tomorrow (there's a press conference...
The modernisers with their milk and water politics have brought us to the edge of defeat. We are so inoffensive now as a party voters may decide 'better the devil we know'.
Commented Mar 7, 2010 on It's time to stop apologising for being Conservative at thetorydiary
It's time to stop apologising for being Conservative
The über-modernisers' idea that the main Tory challenge is to avoid being offensive is raised (yet again) by two columnists in today's newspapers: Andrew Rawnsley's column in today's Observer: ""Vote for change" is the cliched but simple Tory election slogan. It ought to be their most powerf...
Wow. How to upset your two owners and CCHQ in one post.
Commented Mar 5, 2010 on YouGov starts polling for CCHQ at thetorydiary
YouGov starts polling for CCHQ
The most important story concerning the Conservatives today appears over at the Wall Street Journal from Iain Martin; Tories Hire YouGov to Do New Private Polling. Paraphrasing, this is how a senior CCHQ source explained what has happened to me: Up until now now the Cameron team has had only Po...
Good news. Frankly, candidates need to tell CCHQ where to stuff their anodyne leaflets. Immigration should be on EVERY Tory leaflet.
Commented Mar 5, 2010 on CCHQ approves strong immigration message for campaigning in marginal seats at thetorydiary
CCHQ approves strong immigration message for campaigning in marginal seats
A couple of weeks ago I began a process to find an ideal leaflet and drew up a list of policy pledges that could be included on that ideal leaflet. It's very good to see an almost exact reproduction of that list appear in a newspaper advert placed by our excellent candidate in South Ribble, Lo...
Howard could be Justice Sec from the Lords.
Commented Mar 2, 2010 on Why is Cameron using the Tory B team? at CentreRight
Why is Cameron using the Tory B team?
A few questions. Who would be a better and more reassuring candidate for Chancellor? George Osborne or Ken Clarke? Who would be a more impressive candidate for Chief Secretary and the control of public spending? Philip Hammond or John Redwood? Who would be a more powerful candidate to be Home Se...
I agree with this but it's too late in the cycle.
Commented Mar 2, 2010 on Why is Cameron using the Tory B team? at CentreRight
Why is Cameron using the Tory B team?
A few questions. Who would be a better and more reassuring candidate for Chancellor? George Osborne or Ken Clarke? Who would be a more impressive candidate for Chief Secretary and the control of public spending? Philip Hammond or John Redwood? Who would be a more powerful candidate to be Home Se...
Better.
Commented Mar 1, 2010 on Conservatives 5% and 7% ahead in two new polls at thetorydiary
Conservatives 5% and 7% ahead in two new polls
These two polls won't have captured the lasting effects of the Tory Spring Forum in Brighton nor today's Lord Ashcroft disclosure. Tim Montgomerie
This, not Ashcroft, should be leading news bulletins.
Commented Mar 1, 2010 on The choice at this election is a choice between a strong Conservative government and the economic chaos of a hung parliament at thetorydiary
The choice at this election is a choice between a strong Conservative government and the economic chaos of a hung parliament
Most Tories reacted with consternation to yesterday's YouGov poll showing a 2% lead (there'll be another YouGov poll at 10pm tonight). But the reactions of markets has been even more significant. And don't take my word for it. These are today's headlines... Here's an analyst quoted in The Guard...
Answering questions in parliament is a minister's first duty. PMQs should only be cancelled in exceptional circumstances. It happens too often with Bottler Brown.
Commented Mar 1, 2010 on Has Brown bottled this week's PMQs? at thetorydiary
Has Brown bottled this week's PMQs?
From today's Downing Street lobby briefing: "The Prime Minister will miss PMQs on Wednesday to join the welcoming ceremony for the State Visit of President Zuma of South Africa. PMQs will be taken by the Leader of the House, Harriet Harman. Opposition parties have been informed, the Downing St...
I like the mettle v bottle line.
Commented Mar 1, 2010 on The Brighton relaunch of the Tory campaign at thetorydiary
The Brighton relaunch of the Tory campaign
By the end of last week it was obvious that the Tory campaign was in trouble. Although the party was still in a strong position it was losing support. Throughout last week Team Cameron prepared a relaunch of the campaign at the Brighton Spring Forum. 'The Brighton relaunch' had the following ing...
Ashcroft should resign as Deputy Tory Chairman. Not because he has done anything wrong but self-sacrificially to kill this as an election issue.
Commented Mar 1, 2010 on Lord Ashcroft: I'm a non-dom but will soon become a full UK taxpayer at thetorydiary
Lord Ashcroft: I'm a non-dom but will soon become a full UK taxpayer
Lord Ashcroft has just issued this statement via his personal website. He has clarified his tax status, saying he is a non-dom. He notes that two of Labour's biggest donors enjoy the same tax status. He agrees to abandon this status in order to comply with David Cameron's requirement that all ...
MORE MRSA. MORE INEQUALITY. MORE TAXES. MORE IMMIGRATION. FOUR MORE YEARS OF LABOUR.
Commented Feb 19, 2010 on Labour's election slogan will be... "A Future Fair for All" at LeftWatch
Labour's election slogan will be... "A Future Fair for All"
...on the 10pm news apparently. What would it be if it was honest? 10pm: The Guardian reveals it to be "A Future Fair for All".
Co-operatising might be a first step towards privatisation. Once the public has got used to a diversity of people running their services a move towards profit-making organisations running services will be a much easier second step.
Commented Feb 15, 2010 on Tories will invite public sector workers to own primary schools, job centres and other state-funded services as co-operatives at thetorydiary
Tories will invite public sector workers to own primary schools, job centres and other state-funded services as co-operatives
Three years after the launch of the Conservative Co-operative Movement the party is today announcing what it says will be the biggest transfer of power from the state to working people since Margaret Thatcher handed ownership of council homes to their tenants. It's not a perfect comparison. Stat...
Blond was not the originator of this idea George as Channel Four reports: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/domestic_politics/conservatives+revive+public+sector+worker+pledge/3542137
Commented Feb 15, 2010 on Tories will invite public sector workers to own primary schools, job centres and other state-funded services as co-operatives at thetorydiary
Tories will invite public sector workers to own primary schools, job centres and other state-funded services as co-operatives
Three years after the launch of the Conservative Co-operative Movement the party is today announcing what it says will be the biggest transfer of power from the state to working people since Margaret Thatcher handed ownership of council homes to their tenants. It's not a perfect comparison. Stat...
On Camera: I'm guided by my moral compass
Off Camera: Let's get McBride on the phone for some advice
Commented Feb 11, 2010 on If they can mess with our posters, shouldn't we have fun with theirs? at LeftWatch
If they can mess with our posters, shouldn't we have fun with theirs?
On Monday Labour launched this poster and Tory Rascal hit back with this: Here's another example: Please use the thread below (or email me) to suggest other variations on Tory Rascal's theme and we'll put the best up later today...
On Camera: We have no plans for a £20,000 death levy
Off Camera: How much can we fleece the dead, Darling?
Commented Feb 11, 2010 on If they can mess with our posters, shouldn't we have fun with theirs? at LeftWatch
If they can mess with our posters, shouldn't we have fun with theirs?
On Monday Labour launched this poster and Tory Rascal hit back with this: Here's another example: Please use the thread below (or email me) to suggest other variations on Tory Rascal's theme and we'll put the best up later today...
It's good isn't it?
:(
Commented Feb 9, 2010 on Labour launch poster attacking "two-faced" Cameron at LeftWatch
Labour launch poster attacking "two-faced" Cameron
Jeff Randall was, we think, the first person to use the David Cameron-on expression. Wednesday morning: Nice rebuttal poster from ToryRascal:
I'm nervous about this. Our party is hardly squeaky clean.
Commented Feb 8, 2010 on Cameron attacks "secretive, power-hoarding and controlling" Brown at thetorydiary
Cameron attacks "secretive, power-hoarding and controlling" Brown
David Cameron's call for a Parliamentary Privilege Act is on the front page of many newspapers and is leading BBC news bulletins this morning. The Tory leader wants urgent passage of the Act so that MPs could not escape prosecution in the event of future cases of expense abuse. It is not thought...
Do you have stats on gay candidates?
Commented Feb 7, 2010 on The extent of the increase in women and ethnic minority Conservative MPs at the general election at ConservativeHome's Seats & Candidates blog
The extent of the increase in women and ethnic minority Conservative MPs at the general election
New research by ConservativeHome today shows the extent of the likely historic increase in female and Black and Minority Ethnic representation inside the Conservative parliamentary party after the general election. In the House of Commons at present there are 18 female Conservative MPs out of 19...
Why aren't more people focused on this Lords problem?
Commented Feb 6, 2010 on The fundamental flaw in Matthew Parris' argument at thetorydiary
The fundamental flaw in Matthew Parris' argument
I've just caught up with Matthew Parris' Saturday column. In it, Mr Parris takes Fraser Nelson to task for his excellent Keith Joseph lecture to the CPS but my main quarrel is with his recommendation that David Cameron should avoid a hard-edged manifesto ("hard-edged" is his preferred term, mine...
The 15% boost in manufacturing owes everything to being out of the Euro.
Commented Feb 5, 2010 on Had we joined the euro, the British economy would now be a catastrophe (rather than a mere disaster) at thetorydiary
Had we joined the euro, the British economy would now be a catastrophe (rather than a mere disaster)
Don't just take my word for it, David Davis wrote a super piece in yesterday's Evening Standard, speculating about the economic state in which we would find ourselves, had Britain signed up to the euro: "Our already damaged economy would have been crippled by a fixed exchange rate set by the s...
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