Tory Halloween newspaper warns Corby that Labour would increase debt by £3,200 per person

By Tim Montgomerie
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Whatever happens in Corby by-election few people could criticise the quality and volume of the election literature that has been produced and delivered. Seven newspapers have been delivered in total - emphasising crime and welfare measures taken by the Coalition and also targeting local groups, including churchgoers and small business people.

Two days ago the party produced a special newspaper that attacked Labour's economic policies. This Halloween-themed newspaper roadtests themes that are likely to appear in future Tory election literature. Key messages in the newspaper include the big Labour isn't learning message and the danger that Labour would add £3,200 to the debt burden on every person;

In last Sunday's Observer Andrew Rawnsley argued that the Tory narrative and critique of Labour is now pretty clear:

"It has been tough going, the Tories will say, and a bigger task than we expected because the inheritance from Labour was even worse than we imagined. But we are getting it done; re-elect us to finish the job. That will be a core Tory message. They might campaign on the slogan: "Britain's On The Right Track. Don't Turn Back." They already own the copyright on that one having used it successfully against Labour in the past. One shadow minister suggests the Tories might also steal a soundbite from American politics: "Why hand the keys back to the guys who drove the car into the ditch?" Like cheap music, cheap slogans can be potent. In the words of one Labour frontbencher, the Tories could have the makings of "quite a compelling story"."

It is.