Also from the fringe guide for this year’s Tory Party conference There’s an intriguing event from Policy Exchange on “Tax cuts or bust? What now for the Conservatives”. Speakers for the event are listed as the Rt Hon Malcolm Rifkind MP and someone called Howard Flight MP.
Is it me or was there not some kind of deselection row before the election regarding Mr Flight? Did he get to become an MP again or has no one had the good grace to let him know that he isn’t a Member anymore? Or are the Tories still in denial? And should Sir Malcolm be seen on a platform with someone whom the leader of the Party deems unfit to be a Conservative MP?

All of these questions will be answered someday, I’m sure.

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The Tories look set to publicly eviscerate themselves at their conference in a month’s time. It really is amusing that Ken Clarke, the only possible candidate other than Boris Johnson that strikes any fear into the hearts of Labour and the LibDems, is the one person the Tories seems desperate not to elect.

A David Davis leadership (which is the only other likelihood) would confirm to the public the extreme right wing nature of the Tory Party and ensure the LibDems secure their Tory gains. Likewise Labour could continue successfully campaigning along the lines of there being no acceptable alternative rather than on it’s own record.

Of course, if they elect Clarke, he’ll achieve a swing from Labour and the LibDems just through not being scary or insane. I don’t believe he’ll win the next election - only because with him in place, Labour will; have to raise it’s game in Government - which they will do - and that can only be a good thing.

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