Download a pdf of the Tory local elections manifesto
12:50 ToryDiary update: PMQs: Cameron focuses on the pensions crisis and the Prime Minister's successor
10.45 ToryDiary update: Paul Goodman leads debate on Integration and Cohesion in Britain
BLOGS
Britain and America: Robin Aitken writes about his experience in the BBC as BritainAndAmerica launches a video on anti-American BBC bias
ToryDiary: Tory lead steady at 8% and Immigration could cost Labour election (says Immigration Minister)
Seats and candidates: Helen Whately selected for Kingston and Surbiton
CITY UNHAPPY WITH PENSION PLAN
"The Conservatives were drawn into a row with the City yesterday as their plans to help people left without savings when retirement schemes collapse were denounced by the pensions industry. In an unusual move, the trade body that represents insurance companies attacked the Tory plans as “robbing Peter to pay Paul”" - Times
BROWN VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
"Gordon Brown was accused by the Tories today of blowing "a big hole" in pension funds with his "first and worst stealth tax". Moving a rare motion of no confidence in the chancellor's handling of occupational pensions, the shadow chancellor, George Osborne, levelled a series of charges against Mr Brown." - Guardian
"A powerful force of nature called Hurricane Gordon hit the Commons yesterday, creating chaos in its wake. The sudden event, which had not been foreseen, was sparked off by a debate on the unlikely subject of pensions. No one knew that such a topic could be the catalyst for such drama. The Tories suffered the most as high winds ripped arguments out of their mouths." - Times sketch
HAGUE'S AFTER-DINNER SPEAKING SUCCESS
"Watching William Hague being fluent and funny at the Tory MP Alan Duncan's 50th birthday bash at Westminster recently, I whispered to my neighbour, "Why couldn't this man hack it as party leader?" I can't remember Michael Heseltine's reply, any more than I can recall a word Hague said. It may have been that he got the job too soon - in 1997 when no one was listening to the Tories." - Michael White in the Guardian
MERCER REFLECTS ON HIS SACKING IN AN 18DOUGHTYSTREET.COM INTERVIEW WITH IAIN DALE
MILIBAND RULES HIMSELF OUT AGAIN
"Environment Secretary David Miliband will not run for the Labour leadership, once Tony Blair stands down, the BBC understands. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Miliband wanted to end speculation he would run against Gordon Brown. Mr Miliband told the BBC: "I'm not wavering... I am not a candidate."" - BBC
ROBERT JONES HAS DIED
"As a backbencher he welcomed council house sales, advocated easier licensing laws, attacked opt-out rules on the unions' political levy, and attacked the Ministry of Defence management when cancellation of Nimrod jets put Hemel workers out of jobs. But with his free market and efficiency beliefs, Jones was an early green Tory, calling in 1984 for a 30% cut in pollution emission." - Guardian obituary
WESTERN WEAKNESS ON DARFUR
"Either Sudan's diplomats are masters of their trade or Western governments are displaying dangerous incompetence as they seek to curb Africa's bloodiest war. These are the only possible explanations for the latest events in Darfur, where two million people have fled their homes and four years of civil war have claimed perhaps 300,000 lives. One depressing conclusion is inescapable: at every stage of this crisis, Sudan's regime under its military dictator, President Omar al-Bashir, has deflected Western pressure and continued the killing. Time and again, Khartoum has exposed the weakness and vacuity of Western policy." - David Blair in the Telegraph
Please use this thread to highlight other interesting news and commentary...
