Another Liberal Conservative joins 10 Downing Street

By Tim Montgomerie
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Paul Waugh has just scooped that Julian Glover has become the new chief speechwriter to David Cameron. I certainly didn't see that one coming. Cameron's current chief speechwriter, Ameet Gill, is replacing Tim Chatwin in Downing Street as head of strategic communications. Glover, who is Matthew Parris' civil partner, has been The Guardian's most Conservative-friendly columnist.

I hope it will herald a wider shake up of Number 10 and address the problems Ben Brogan raised yesterday. The disappointment is that Glover, although very gifted, is yet another person who comes from outside the mainstream Conservative family. When Andy Coulson left Number 10, Cameron appointed Craig Oliver, an award-winning BBC journalist but with no history of Conservative connections. The PM tapped Andrew Cooper, a strong critic of traditional Conservatism, as his chief pollster and strategy adviser. All of these appointments cement the external coalition with the Lib Dems. They don't suggest that Number 10 is prioritising its internal coalition with Conservative MPs, members and voters.

Regardless of my reservations I wish Julian Glover success and congratulate him on his appointment.