Tories target counties

Look at where the shadow cabinet is going to launch the Tory local election campaign today and you’ll see some of the authorities at which the party believes it can make the greatest gains.

It’s no secret they’re targeting the midlands counties like Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, where Labour councils are scared the Government’s unpopularity might see them unseated.

Liam Fox is in Devon, Michael Gove is in North Yorkshire, Alan Duncan is in Essex, Chris Grayling is in Lancashire, Francis Maude is in Derbyshire and Theresa May is in Notts.

Meanwhile George Osborne is in Somerset, Eric Pickles is in Warwickshire, Grant Schapps is in East Sussex and Caroline Spelman will go with David Cameron to Tynemouth.

Not Spelbound

Perhaps it's 'nannygate' or her dwindling support among Tory grass roots – but Lobbydog thinks the pressure is beginning to show on Caroline Spelman.

The shadow communities secretary didn’t sound up for the fight on Today this morning and in a briefing on Tory local government proposals yesterday she found it tough sparring with hacks.

The proposals themselves are quite interesting and have even won the support of a few Labour MPs in Leicester.

But that didn’t make it any easier for Spelman yesterday – she was relentlessly challenged by a few members of the regional lobby.

Where a Gove would have silver-tongued his way out of the corner, or a Pickles would have barged his way out, Spelman seemed to become worn out – like a wasp stuck in a jar.

Over the weekend Spelman – known as Spelperson by some Tory members who dislike her PC views – came bottom of a satisfaction survey among the party faithful.

Facebook strikes again

A leading young Tory activist was kicked out of the party today for boasting about dressing up as Madeleine McCann at a New Year bash.

Conservative Future (CF) member Matthew Lewis wrote on his Facebook site that his costume would include a blonde wig, "pink pyjamas, a teddy bear and a vial of fake blood".

Tory chairman Caroline Spelman today branded Mr Lewis's behaviour "totally unacceptable" and confirmed he had been expelled.

"This offensive behaviour is not only shocking but intolerable and completely unacceptable," she said.

"There is no place for this sort of person in the party."

Perhaps the Tories need to roll out their watchlist to CF?