My co-editor Jonathan Isaby is in Brussels today and tomorrow. He's there with Tom Greeves of ConHome's Parliament page. They're there to explore improving our coverage of the European Parliament and also preparing the ground for the European Elections.
I've greatly enjoyed working with Jonathan since he started work last October. I thought I'd struggle to find a replacement for Sam Coates but Jonathan, with his different qualities, is proving to be a really excellent colleague. His address book is much bigger than mine and he's less ideologically punchy. I think we may have the beginnings of a good cop, bad cop thing.
I write this now to acknowledge his two big exclusives last week: (1) Breaking the news that the Tories were finally exiting the EPP and (2) The story, followed up by many news sites, that Eric Pickles was off to Majorca as part of a new effort to win ex pat votes.
Tim Montgomerie
What will they make of Baroso telling the British electorate not to vote CONservative?
Posted by: Patrick Harris | March 17, 2009 at 19:29
Fantastic story about Mr Pickles going abroad though it didn't say if he actually travelled as cargo.
Thanks for the exclusive on that one.
Posted by: Henry Mayhew - ukipper | March 17, 2009 at 19:41
What I want to know who is who is the good cop and who is the bad cop?
Secondly will covering the EU Parliament in greater detail actually be doing Conhome any favours? It will bring the single issue bores even more to the fore than they are already.
Posted by: Malcolm Dunn | March 17, 2009 at 20:39
Where did you see that Patrick? There's nothing on the beeb website, where I'd have thought that sort of story would be the main headline
Posted by: Paul D | March 17, 2009 at 21:02
Will you bet your shares in conservativehome that the Tories will leave the EPP ?
Of course the EPP membership matter is an absolutely trivial matter-part of the reason that Cameron comes over as so shallow is that he majors on such trivia as opposed to say firmly committing the Tories to refuse to implement the extra billions for the CAP agreed to by Blair and due to kick in very conveniently for the Treasury in 2009-hey look I am not asking him to be very deep thinking in putting forward a plan to exit from or reconfigure our relationship with the Eu just to have the chitzpa to save the taxpayer a few billion.
My guess is that there will be some apparent new grouping in the EP but it will all be shallow deception and if circs look ok he will renege even on that.
Posted by: Anthony Scholefield | March 17, 2009 at 21:24
Hi Tim. Just out of interest how did Mr. Pickles travel? what class? I can actually ask him myseof tomorrow night but if you know do divulge.
Posted by: joshuwahwah | March 17, 2009 at 21:32
Do you remember that unadvertised meeting between Cameron and Barroso a few months ago,that ConHome found out about but could not get further details of?
Now call me a cynic, but a good old-fashioned public 'argument' with the EU before the euro elections and a compromise after would suit both men, wouldn't it?
Posted by: ToryBlog.com | March 17, 2009 at 22:09
Malcolm: I'd say it was exactly that sort of attitude that makes it essential for ConservativeHome to make more of the EP. Single issue it most certainly is not - not when you realise the level of control they have over issues that effect every citizen of Britain every day.
Posted by: Donna | March 17, 2009 at 22:22
I think we may have the beginnings of a good cop, bad cop thing.
[SCENE: A dingy office somewhere in Brussels. Sinister foreigners are plotting some nefarious scheme to destroy dear old Blighty. Suddenly the door flies open.]
1st FOREIGNER: Que?
2nd FOREIGNER: Au secours!
MONTGOMERIE: We're Conservative Home, and we ain't had any dinner.
3rd FOREIGNER: Mein Gott! It's a web-based comprehensive coverage of der Englander Conservative Party, independent but supportive of it!
4th FOREIGNER: Diavolo! But surely there are two of you?
[Enter a second intrepid newshound, slightly out of breath.]
ISABY: Sorry I'm late, Tim. Spot of bother rolling over the bonnet of the Granada.
5th FOREIGNER: Begorrah to be sure you'll not be thinking of coming in here an' improving yer man's coverage of the European Parliament now, will ye?
MONTGOMERIE: Shut it!
Posted by: William Norton | March 17, 2009 at 23:08
Fine, Tim. But make sure none of the CH chaps go native. Her Majesty's men in Brussels have a nasty tendency to do precisely that.
I'll be watching.
Posted by: Viscount Crouchback | March 18, 2009 at 00:29
Vintage Norton @ 23.08 :-)
Posted by: Tim Montgomerie | March 18, 2009 at 05:26
@ William Norton LOL!!!!!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | March 18, 2009 at 07:32
Good cop, bad cop?
More like Laurel and Hardy without the laughs!
Posted by: Isaac Hunt | March 18, 2009 at 14:49
Isaac - "Get yer trousers on...yer nicked"!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | March 18, 2009 at 14:58
Joshuahblahblah
Are you being asked to pay for Eric Pickles seat? Or even contribute to it from taxes?
If not then it is probably none of your business.
Or is the party of John Prescott on the warpath over something?
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent | March 18, 2009 at 20:41
It was great to see Jonathan and Tom in the EP yesterday and today and many MEP colleagues had individual meetings expalining how we work and what we are trying to achieve. I am delighted we UK MEPs will receive more political attention from the premier Conservative blog. ConHome has assembled under Tim's vision a formidable team and is leading the national on line debate on British centre right thinking. Its only right whatever Tories think of the EU or its Parliament that we should remain constructively engaged at the forefront of debate in the run up to the June elections. This visit to Brussels is an excellent start and I hope Tim will also pay us a visit soon in person.
Posted by: Charles Tannock MEP | March 18, 2009 at 22:55