Tuesday 27th February 2007

5.30pm ToryDiary update: Dan Hannan is bringing up a Europhile

4.15pm Seats and candidates update: Zac Goldsmith is star of final six for Richmond Park and Final four for Nuneaton

3.15pm ToryDiary update: "We do not need and do not want a national, spy-in-the sky, pay as you drive scheme," says Chris Grayling

Midday ToryDiary update: Labour MP wants Thatcher statue removed

11:30am Seats and Candidates update: Chris White reselected for Warwick and Leamington

10:30am update: "The House of Commons is taking second place to broadcasters in the priorities of MPs, Conservative Party leader David Cameron has claimed. In an interview with the Parliamentary Monitor magazine Cameron agreed that the prime minister had a very poor record of attendance in the Commons." - ePolitix

BLOGS

100policies: David Cooper opposes road pricing and tracking

CF Diary: Does Conservative Future produce unthinking young Conservatives?

ToryDiary: CommunicateResearch: 40, 29, 17

SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES' COFFERS

"The Conservatives were facing questions about their finances last night after it emerged that the party had taken £500,000 from a Scottish "front company" that allows donors to remain anonymous. The money was raised last September at a gala dinner in Glasgow, organised by the building tycoon Sir Jack Harvie. David Cameron, the party leader, was the guest of honour at the £2,500-a-table event." - Scotsman

"Scotland's Conservatives have received a major boost to their Holyrood campaign, receiving £700,000 from their largest-ever fundraising event while Labour's coffers appear to have been hit by the cash for peerages controversy." - The Herald

WATER CHARGE REFORM

"Northern Ireland ratepayers should pay for the volume of water they use rather than charges based on house value, the Conservatives have said. Launching their assembly election manifesto, the party also pledged to protect grammar schools and keep academic selection." - BBC

FAMILIES WITH DISABLED CHILDREN ARE HOPEFUL OF MORE SUPPORT

"The prime minister in waiting, Gordon Brown, and the Conservative leader, David Cameron, may be on opposite sides of the political divide, but they do share a common bond. Both have children with disabilities. A recent survey by the charity Mencap estimated there are around 100,000 families in a similar position." - Guardian 

MANCHESTER CONFERENCE

"The city was described as "vibrant and exciting" by Tory Chairman Francis Maude, who said the party had enjoyed their 2006 Spring Forum in the city. Event organisers at the Manchester Central complex are expecting to attract more than 10,000 party members." - BBC

>>> Last week's ToryDiary exclusive

DANGER OF THE TOFF IMAGE

"Clad in the classless uniform of the modern cyclist, Converse-wearing Dave is defiantly downwardly mobile. He plans to send his daughter to a state school, helps out in the kitchen at home (in the wilds of North Kensington, not Notting Hill, remember), and plays the Killers on his iPod. Unfortunately for his image minders, a rival picture is gaining focus: Cameron the toff. His aristocratic heritage is incontrovertible." - Patrick Barkham in the Guardian

BLEARS CLINGING ON TO UNION FUNDING

"I have seldom seen anything so irresponsible in politics as Francis Maude MP's recent attempts to attack Labour's union links. Today's Tories are prepared to jeopardise the best chance for a generation to agree a funding settlement in order to score some political points." - Hazel Blears in the Guardian

>>> Picture of Francis Maude, with Sefton Central candidate Debi Jones, on a trip to Merseyside last week.

VOLUNTEER, THEN BECOME A CITIZEN

"Immigrants should carry out community work before being granted UK citizenship, Gordon Brown will say. The chancellor is expected to tell a seminar on Britishness that the move would help new arrivals settle." - BBC

JOB VACANCIES

• Researcher, TaxPayers’Alliance
• Communications Manager, TaxPayers’Alliance
• Campaigner, TaxPayers’Alliance
• Parliamentary Intern, Mark Harper MP
• Diary Secretary, CCHQ
• Party Agent, Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Part-time administrator, Esher & Walton
• Administrator, Kingston & Surbiton
• Regional Press Officer, South West
• Regional Press Officer, North/Bradford
• Business Relations Manager, CCHQ
• Party Agent, Thirsk & Malton

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