Tony M, I believe that you are completely wrong. If Dr. Williams joins a political debate he must know that others will answer. As Tim has pointed out, with eloquence, this government is doing everything possible to help people out of poverty. The State Institutions have been created by the previous government to micromanage the lives of the worst off in Society to the point where they ceased to take any responsibility for themselves. 'Killing' initiative with what was said to be 'kindness'. Dr. Williams is entitled to make his views known but Tim and indeed anyone who totally disagrees with the Archbishop is equally entitled to say so..

Yes! It does matter, he should dress appropriately and Samantha should wear a hat!!!

Mark Harper is a solid, courteous and skilled Minister heavily involved with the Constitutional changes which have required great tact, knowledge and skill in the House, especially in the face of Chris Bryant. I was not even aware of Maria Miller but watching her performances at the Despatch Box, I am now a very firm fan as she is calm, on top of her brief very effective. Justine Greening and Grant Shapps continue to impress, as does David Gauke. Has has been said earlier, who do we need to lose to accommodate these up and coming stars?

So that makes it all OK then - problem solved - Cheers, Allan.

Absolutely right Elaine but that oft repeated solid reason never stops the press and Labour from intimating or shouting - 'Tory Sleaze'. Don't know why it's deemed to be OK for Unions to help frame Labour policy and also bank roll them and yet anything we do to raise funds has to be 'tainted'. It's not as if the plans for Conference have been kept secret, I knew and I imagine most us have known for ages, so I guess the Telegraph had nothing better to lead on just before Silly Season Bank Holiday weekend.

Margot has made an impressive start in Parliament and appears to be totally focused and driven by her beliefs. Hats off to her and all best wishes for continuing success in the future?

Not so much centralism but a message of a complete change of attitude directed to those so used to following the Labour Government's finger wagging diktats. Bring it on I say because whilst I'm not a road rage person generally, bumps in the road, bossy lane markings, cameras, flashing warnings about speed, and bus lanes etc., etc., make my blood boil. We are not school children to be lead, crocodile style through our lives!

Completely agree with you Elaine and I also consider that it is no bad thing that there should be a two way dialogue between Ministers and the Business Community alongside fund raising. I also take on board Jane Gould's point that a reasonable response should be available to take the sting out of the 'sleaze' accusations.

Yes it was a shambles and had it been named "The Alastair Campbell Show", it would have done precisely what it said on the tin. Whilst I'm not happy about Downing Street taking their bats home, they obviously knew what sort of garbage the programme would create. Redwood was excellent but hardly had a look in! I also like the Susan Kramers 'camel analogy'.

That's all very well Jack bit why has all the tolerance to be one way. We must be attuned to those brought up in a different era and/or whose strong beliefs are important to them. I, nor most right minded people would not want to stay where people had a problem and it would only be fair to accept their views and respect them. All this shrieking and on high horses stuff is just crackers. Do you want a country hell bent on beating people into submission for every 'off message' thought and belief they have because I for one don't.

I do so agree with you Huntmaster. I listened to sanctimonius Chris Huhne yesterday and thought to myself that what Chris Grayling had said was simply commonsense. You are quite correct that the state has no business at all telling people who they may or may not invite into their homes. This whole subject of political correctness is distorting life as we know it and I speak as a mother whose son has just this month been through a wonderful Civil Partnership Ceremony.

Well said Philip, if the whole Party could reply in similar, clear and strong terms to all the lies and smears thrown at us, we might still be well ahead in the polls.

I remember that clearly Gary and did we cheer for Joan! Very best wishes for your campaign for Kris, whilst we here in Shipley are working hard to re-elect Philip Davies, defending a 2005 majority of 422.

Love 'em David B, especially the trashing of the economy!!!

Dr AS you have hit the nail on the head. Why do so many keep saying that we have no policies when we have them in spades? Because most of them have been presented in language that is too detailed and just doesn't convey the beneficial outcome for which they have been designed. In addition, those who have not even checked for themselves simply trot out the Labour lie that the Conservatives have no policies. GB even had the gall to say that DC needed no notes for his speeches because he had nothing to say. Our armoury is full of authentic policies which need communicating as described by Dr AS.

At one time I would have agreed with you Adam but I have watched, particularly, Theresa May and Sayeeda Warsi over the last 12 months, both at Conference Fringes and Main Hall + Question Time. They have both grown in confidence, have become very articulate and Sayeeda has an ability for swift and strong response to tough questions. Caroline Spelman is competent and insistent but on occasions fails to counter powerful criticism of Party policy. I think the fact that Ann Widdicombe is leaving Parliament reduces her effectiveness.

I may be wrong BritishWatcher but I rather thought I heard him refer to our 'multiracial' country rather than 'multicultural'. I believe that this is a fair comment on the make up of our population, rather than an endorsement of multiculturalism.

You are so right Sally, we really need to get more confident, punchy and hard hitting. In the campaign proper, there are enough points in William's "list" in Manchester to run 3/4 a day in stark, easy to absorb words, each with a recurrent style reinforcing the message of Labour's total failure with everything they touched.

Perfect Tom FD.

I have not had time today to read all the posts so forgive me if others have suggested refraining from listing all our policies. How about we ask what the concerns are, because from your list Tim, I believe we have the answers to most of them. For example:- Are you anxious about ever increasing council tax? Vote Tory, we'll freeze it for two years. Are you anxious, because of the value of your house, that your children will have to meet a bill from the tax man when you die? Vote Conservative because we will abolish that tax for all, apart from millionaires. Do you want more discipline in schools? Vote Conservative because we will give Head Teachers and staff the ability to enforce that discipline. Do you worry about the loss of our sovereign currency? Vote Conservative because we will never join the Euro or any other alternative currency. You get my drift? We have been accused of having no policies but now we are awash with them, and good ones, but it's too much detail. Bring it down to basics and then go sell it!

Agree with you Matthew and along with your final comment I would add - find your narrative and stick to it. I understand the reasons for the recent shift in detail of some policies but others might imagine that the Tory Top Team are flakey.

Strikes me that this situation creates a very powerful election message for us. Let's hope that Mark Francois and the whole Shadow Cabinet explain at every opportunity the absolutely unforgivable policy stance made by Labour and LibDems. I cannot understand what they are afraid of here. If they fear that their power to decide will be eroded, what on earth do they imagine has already occurred with regard to Europe. As ever, a policy line which runs against the best interests of the United Kingdom. I agree with you BritishWatcher, they will have some trouble defending their position.

This is outrageous but what I still can't get over is the fact that we are surprised and shocked! We have known what this lot are capable of (not to mention Alistair Campbell yesterday) since Bernie Eccleston right at the beginning. Every single thing they touch turns not just to dust but to ever greater dishonest and corrupt activity and they lie so easily. We must somehow expose the extent of the degradation ahead of the election. Scales need to fall from the eyes of the waverers because even a small risk of GB and Co. staying in power is absolutely horrifying!!

Well said Chris and wonderfully observed Patsy, as ever. There'll be a lot more and worse than this letter before we go to the polls.

Thank you very much for your insights all you military people - glad those who know are watching carefully.