Gazette

Ben Howlett is new Chairman of Conservative Future

By Tim Montgomerie

Congratulations to Cllr Ben Howlett who has just been elected as the new Chairman of Conservative Future, succeeding Michael Rock. Click here to find out more about Ben.

I got the news from ToryBear. In breaking the news TB reports that just 173 people voted in the contest, out of an eligible 18,000! That is very poor. Ben's first job is to reflect on that low level of identification with CF among younger party members.

Clare Hilley won the battle for Deputy.

Jonathan Isaby marries Claudia

By Tim Montgomerie

The ConHome team - myself, Paul Goodman, Harry Phibbs (plus Michael Ashcroft) - were among the guests at the National Liberal Club in Westminster on Saturday for the wedding of Jonathan Isaby, Co-Editor of ConservativeHome. Jonathan has been a member of the Club for many years and gave his vows underneath a large portrait of David Lloyd George!

It was a wonderful occasion, attended by a good number of MPs and Jonathan's friends from his beloved York University - as well as family.

Mr and Mrs Isaby are now on honeymoon (without BlackBerry) but Jonathan will, of course, return in time for the Birmingham Party Conference.

Art Laffer of Laffer Curve fame and Baroness Thatcher attend TaxPayers' Alliance gala dinner

By Jonathan Isaby

400 supporters of the Taxpayers' Alliance gathered at the Guildhall in the City of London last night for a gala dinner at the end of a week during which the TPA hosted the European Resource Bank in London.

Baroness Thatcher attended the pre-dinner reception and spoke to many guests (including yours truly, as pictured below), whilst the guest speaker at the dinner was none other than Dr Arthur "Art" Laffer. Known as "the father of supply side economics", he advised both Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan on fiscal policy during the 1980s and spoke last night about the dangers of fiscal stimulus. In calling for lower taxes and regulation on business, he also suggested that "if you love jobs, you should love the people that create them".

John Heubusch of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation read a letter from Nancy Reagan sending her good wishes to all involved in running the TPA, whilst Lord Forsyth of Drumlean also gave a rousing speech echoing the TPA's core messages. TPA founder Matthew Elliott also took the opportunity to speak about his new role heading the No campaign against introducing the Alternative Vote electoral system.

Ian Cameron, the Prime Minister's father, has died

By Paul Goodman

Thursday morning update: statement from David Cameron: "Our dad was an amazing man - a real life enhancer.  He never let the disability he was born with or the complications in later life get in the way of his incredible sense of fun and enjoyment."

"He touched a lot of lives in lots of different ways and was a brilliant husband and father.  You could never be down for long when he was around.   We will miss him terribly but have a bank of memories that can never be exhausted"

"This was unexpected and sudden, but he was having a wonderful holiday and was with great friends. Above all he was with mum, to whom he was devoted, and he was happy - and the end came quickly.  We will treasure all the joy he brought us."  

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Downing Street has issued the following statement.

"It is with deep regret we can confirm that Ian Cameron died earlier this afternoon. He passed away shortly after the Prime Minister arrived at the hospital in France where he was undergoing treatment."

Deepest condolences to David Cameron, and to all his family.

Ann Widdecombe revealed as guest on the forthcoming season of TV's Strictly Come Dancing

By Tim Montgomerie

The Guardian has the report:

"The annual battle for ratings and column inches between The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing has become an autumn television fixture. After the BBC came off second-best in last year's scheduling head-to-head – in part thanks to a lacklustre celebrity lineup – the corporation appears to be pulling out all the stops with a host of household names. Ann Widdecombe, Felicity Kendal, Paul Daniels, Peter Shilton and former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams will all be slipping into super-sequinned costumes and taking their first steps on the dancefloor in the coming weeks. Also embracing glitter and sparkle will be the DJ Goldie, the actor Patsy Kensit, rugby player Gavin Henson, psychologist Pamela Stephenson Connolly, Coronation Street's Tina O'Brien, and EastEnders stars Scott Masien and Kara Tointon. Presenter Matt Baker and East is East star Jimi Mistry will also join inbe taking to the dancefloor."

Will viewers vote for her in the same way they warmed to John Sergeant? Or am I being unfair about the former Home Office minister's likely dancing skills?