Letters From A Tory Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others.

First came ‘Change That Works For You. Building A Fairer Britain’ – without doubt one of the worst election slogans I have ever heard.  It means nothing, it tells me nothing, it will inspire no-one and it’s basically the same as the other two parties.
Now we have Nick Clegg calling for a 10% tax on [...]

“Anna is liberal and open-minded but politically she supports The Labour Party, for all its sins.”
- a note on the website of Anna Arrowsmith, a porn film director and the new PPC for the Lib Dems in the constituency of Gravesham.  Her website also mentions that she is “into all sorts of things, mainly partying [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
In the modern political era, it is almost a given that policy announcements and speeches are leaked to the media way so that some interest can be drummed up in advance.  It was therefore quite refreshing for you to spring a surprise attack on David Cameron this week, although – as we have [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
No doubt you had in mind a dramatic, media-busting launch of your tax plans yesterday that would herald a resurgence in the polls.  Sadly, what you have ended up with is your party running extremely hard just to stand still.  It is clear that you have been forced to drastically alter your most infamous policy [...]

“Today’s Liberal Democrats are an Ikea party, cobbled together overnight on the bedroom floor and rarely upright in one place for more than a week. Vince Cable wants the banks bailed out by the government, but only sort of. Paddy Ashdown wants Afghanistan saved from the Taliban “if it can be done properly”. The party [...]

 
PRESS RELEASE 0902 – WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER
 
The Liberal Democrats have become embroiled in a fierce row over airbrushing after a Conservative blogger accused them of ‘airbrushing’ photos of Nick Clegg during their 2009 party conference in Bournemouth.  A.Tory, author of the ‘Letters From A Tory’ blog, has uncovered what he claims is “clear evidence of [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
What a hilarious show.  Gaffe after gaffe after gaffe.  First came the accusation that David Cameron was a “conman”, which everyone ignored.  Then came talk of “savage cuts”, which you backtracked on yesterday.  Then came the possibility of dropping your pledge to scrap tuition fees, which was quickly left to one side.  Then [...]

Dear Jo Swinson,
I know that Silly Season is upon us and pretty much any story, no matter how ridiculous, can get into the news.  Even so, I would have thought that the Lib Dems would be keen to avoid making themselves look like prats during this relatively quiet period.  I was wrong.  It appears as [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
Much as you might have been boyed by one recent Euro election and General Election poll, I’d hate for you to think that it has anything to do with you as opposed to the continuing capitulation of Labour. The ICM poll for the Telegraph had you up five points on 25% and in second [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
Today’s papers are reporting that you have privately authorised secret approaches to up to a dozen unhappy Blairites, trying to persuade them to join the Lib Dems instead of forming their own breakaway party, in a move that brings back memories of the split that led to the creation of the SDP in the [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
I felt a little queezy yesterday reading through the news reports on your closing speech to the Liberal Democrat spring conference.  There were, I believe, two reasons for this: firstly, your segment was so full of ridiculous analogies that it was almost impossible to take seriously; and secondly, the bare-faced contradictions and ignorance [...]

“One of the problems with younger people is that their lives are less settled”
- Russell Eagling, Liberal Democrat council leader in Kentish Town ward in Camden, responding to the news that one of his councillors had moved 5,200 miles away to Arizona but was still claiming his £700 a month council allowance

BBC website, 29th July 2008: Nick Clegg said “We’ve got to be ready for anything.”
BBC website, 29th July 2008: ‘Warrant issued for Lib Dem Donor’ - ”A judge has issued an arrest warrant for a wealthy businessman whose company donated more than £2 million to the Liberal Democrats.  Michael Brown, 42, is due to stand trial [...]

Dear Chris Huhne,
I have no idea whether you were behind the ‘Calamity Clegg’ document and quite frankly I don’t care.  You have provided more press coverage for the Lib Dem leadership contest in the last 24 hours than I have seen in weeks.  So I guess that means congratulations are in order?
With a hint of [...]

Dear Tim Hames,
Ouch.  You really stuck this knife in this morning in The Times about the Lib Dems.  Even though I have no problem with them as a party, I do tend to agree with you by questioning what purpose they actually serve.
As I see it, their support over the last few years has come [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
I am writing to you with the greatest sympathy, seeing as you are clearly suffering from memory problems despite your tender age.
I read this morning that in order to stamp your authority on the Lib Dem leadership contest, you will put it to the party that they face oblivion unless they broaden their [...]

Dear Martin Kettle,
Although 90% of your analysis in today’s Guardian about Ming Campbell’s departure is fair, you have over-dramatised the difficulties that will face the new leader of the party when they are elected.  Being the leader of the Lib Dems is never an easy task, but things are not as bad as they seem.
David [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
No-one would doubt that Gordon Brown’s phone has been constantly ringing over the last few days, as his authority over this country and his own party begin to fade – at least, temporarily.  I would have thought that your phoneline would also have been used heavily over the weekend now that you have [...]

Dear Nick Clegg,
Reading the Guardian’s assessment of your leadership credentials this morning was a surreal experience.  With the Lib Dem conference just around the corner the spotlight will be shining brightly on Ming Campbell as he defends his record as Lib Dem leader and presumably sets out his case for being given more time.  I’m [...]

Dear Ming Campbell,
One of the less discussed elements of British politics is the position of the Lib Dems.  I find it very hard to discern whether your party is Centre, Centre-Left or just goes wherever the political wind takes you.  David Cameron has tried to ‘rebrand’ the Conservative Party with a varying degree of success, [...]

Dear Mark Oaten,
It seems as though after the, shall we say, minor blip in your political career a little while ago, you are trying to force your message back onto the agenda with appearances on 18 Doughty Street and your article for The Times today.  Unfortunately you appear to be a little rusty in your understanding of [...]