Subscribe to The Spectator

Saturday 26 May 2012

Latest issue

Buy the current issue

Jobs at Telegraph

Tuesday, 24th June 2008

Playing with toy soldiers

James Forsyth 5:47pm

Danny Finkelstein has responded to my post suggesting that he is fighting the last war by saying, rather ingenuously, that this is generally a smart strategy.

Now, at the risk of stretching this metaphor to breaking point, I’d counter that the last wars the Conservative party has fought have been all about minimising its loses or reclaiming ground lost to the enemy. The coming campaign offers it a very different opportunity, a chance not only to reverse the result of previous conflict but to advance into new territory.

It is the opportunities on offer that mean that a new campaign strategy is required. The Tories would probably win if they fought the last war but they would not advance as far as they could and nor would their hold be as total on the territory they had taken. Now, I’m off to play with my toy soldiers.

 

Blogs: Martin Bright | Susan Hill | Alex Massie | Melanie Phillips | Faith Based | Cappuccino Culture

Actions: Email to a friend  |   Permalink   |   Comments (1) | Subscribe

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Comments Post comment

Diversity

June 24th, 2008 7:55pm Report this comment

New territory? You would not be talking about all the core elements of the old and new Labour votes that don't like the changes they are seeing, would you? Just might be natural Conservative territory?

More like a new continent than a new territory.
"Oh my America! my new found land" as the poet said.

Post comment

Back to top

Cartoons

Tag Cloud

Coffee House archive

sponsored links

Spectator recommends

Spectator classifieds

THE PRESENT FINDER

1,700 Unusual Christmas Presents Request Catalogue 01935 815 195 Quote SPEC10 for 10% discount www.presentfinder.co.uk

OLIVE BRANCH FLORISTS

Pimilco based Florist with online ordering Web: www.olivebranch.net Tel: 020 7630 1868 Fax: 020 7233 8844

RUFFS Bespoke Signet rings

62 Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton, SO31 9FT Telephone: 01489 578867 Web site: www.ruffs.co.uk