The marginal faith in the Ashcroft alchemy

Richard Manns

There's surely nothing magical about

a) the shift in the marginals and
b) the fact that the Opposition is targetting them.

The massive shift in the marginals is what cut Major down to a wafer-thin majority in 1992, and gave Blair his stupendous majority in 1997.

Right now, it ensures that National Swing projections are relentlessly pro-Labour. Did everyone really think that the marginals couldn't swing back? Did we all really believe that the 12% lead that delivered a 160+ majority to Blair would barely give Cameron a lead in the Commons?

Ashcroft is merely a canard for the Left to scream at, to accuse him of evil deeds (and what more evil deed is there to the Left than making and spending money efficiently?).

Rachael

Quelle surprise.

Their best weapon is a quite old fashioned one: blackmail.

'It's us, or it's Brown.'

That is their best chance.

Even setting aside the Conservatives' agenda - if one can call it that - their PR operation is woeful. And this is supposed to be Dave's forte!

Mandy Pandy is getting away with political murder.

Policies - third rate.
PR - third rate.
Marginals strategy - wait and see.

It's like a horror movie, Dave and Co are the silly zombies you can just about run away from, Brown, Mandy and Harman, the spitemongers that would do you in from here to eternity.

Dixon

When I had finished laughing at David Icke I saw a photo of lord Ashcroft.

I saw a few more photos, enough to know it wasnt some cunning of photoshop.

It has given me much pause for thought!

David D

I live in one of the most marginal seats. I have yet to see anything that looks to have come from a "marginal seats offensive" and although I have alrready decided how I will vote (why change the habits of a lifetime?!) I wonder if this is an example of how the devilishly focused targeting is also deilishly difficult.

Ruby Duck

There's nothing magic in the marginals, just hard work and a lot more people doing it than there was in 2005.

Pete

Lets see:
New technological gimmick? Check.
Political classes - Tories in particular - all in a tizz about how this changes everything? Check.

Do you really need an inside source to know that this dog probably isn't going to hunt?

Dr Peter Smeaton

Perhaps it's time to realise that the whole thing is a smokescreen, carefully nurtured by Mandelson, to prevent serious discussion of Labour's record over the last 12 or so years. And I'm not surprised they don't wish to discuss it.

raymond

Labour is awful, no question of that . But are the the conservatives under Cameron the answer ? Not sure about that ! Ditch the so-called "progressive agenda" Dave, and give us a referendum on Lisbon ! Then you might offer the British people what they are currently being denied i.e. CHOICE !

Robbit

After Call me Dave's toe-curling drivel of a speech on the weekend it seems absurd to be defending the Tories on anything, but this Ashcroft thingamy is a complete farce.

What the bloody hell is wrong with Ashcroft earning his wealth in foreign enterprises?! Rather than mealey-mouthed weaseling and shifty apologetic flip-flopping, the Tories should be using this to go on the attack. Ashcroft is a British citizen, who, in as much as his business and work is in the UK, pays UK taxes. This country became great by its citizens going out an investing their wealth, efforts and skills in foreign parts. If he makes his fortune in foreign part he pays taxes there. So what? If the closet-Bolsheviks don't like that then simply put a blanket punitive taxation on any money coming into the country and see what wonders that does for us and our economy!

Dixon

several people here...no doubt due to the terrible way the story has widely been reported...appear to be utterly unaware of the gist of the issue. It is not that Ashcroft is or is not "non dom". Its the certain fact that in exchange for a peerage ( a permanent seat on our legislature, do not forget ) he signed a legally binding agreement to become a British resident, TEN YEARS AGO. Not only has he been in breach of that agreement for an entire decade ( thus, in effect, having obtained a peerage by deception ) but either he has deceived the entire leadership of the Conservative party or, much more plausibly, the entire leadership of the Conservative party ( apart from Haig, who I do believe when he says he was duped ) have known this and decided to be complicit in Ashcrofts deceit.

JaJTalk

So this is why David Cameron is playing his cards so close to his chest on Lord Ashcroft? But it does not answer the question as to why a politician who claims to be a serious contender for office of Prime Minister is unable to confirm whether he will hand Ashcroft a job (should he win)? Clearly he places enough faith in him to continue stand by him. Or is that just because he's a valuable billionaire to have on your side. Every politician is their own worst enemy. What we need is serious action on the issue of political donations. I'’ve noticed the Jury Team want to cap donations at £50,000 in line with the Hayden Philips proposals http://tinyurl.com/Cap-Donations. At last, a party speaking some sense on the subject of funding.