Wednesday, February 25, 2015
By James Forsyth for The Mail on Sunday
Published: 01:13 GMT, 18 January 2015 | Updated: 15:02 GMT, 18 January 2015
The Tory Whips are the Prime Minister's eyes and ears. They are the bridge between the leader and his MPs. But on Wednesday night, they were all dining with Boris Johnson.
A year ago, a convivial dinner between Boris and the Whips would have been unimaginable. Downing Street was nervous about any attempt by the London Mayor to cosy up to Tory MPs, fearing a challenge to David Cameron's authority.
But this invitation to dinner is evidence of a new, unspoken deal between Johnson and Downing Street. He will be supportive and campaign hard for Cameron. In exchange, it will allow him to cultivate Tory MPs, rectifying his biggest weakness ahead of any leadership contest.
Boris Johnson (right) will campaign hard for Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and in exchange, his loyalty will allow him to win over Tory MPs ahead of any leadership contest
Having been out of Parliament for seven years, Johnson has not been able to curry favour from the parliamentary party in the way other potential candidates have.
George Osborne has developed a loyal following, many of whom have obtained Ministerial office thanks to his patronage. Theresa May has also worked hard to build herself a Commons support base.
It is clear that Osborne has no objections to Boris's positioning. After all, the Whips' Office that asked the Mayor to dine with them at Boisdale in Belgravia is run by Michael Gove, a close political and personal ally of the Chancellor.
Gove's deputy in the office is Greg Hands, an Osborne ultra-loyalist who started this Parliament as the Chancellor's parliamentary private secretary.
So why is the Chancellor so relaxed about the Mayor's glad-handing? Because the key to his own political future is a Tory election victory and he knows having the most popular politician in the country on side makes that more likely.
If the Tories lose in May, Osborne – as Cameron's closest ally – would have no chance of winning the subsequent leadership contest. Despite his generous patronage, Osborne has calculated he does not have enough MPs prepared to back him in these circumstances and, as Osborne likes to say, 'the first rule of politics is knowing how to count'.
Whether this Boris/Osborne rapprochement will last much beyond polling day is uncertain. Indeed, one Tory who knows both men well, gives it 'a maximum of two years'.
May, on the other hand, does not share Osborne's new-found enthusiasm for Boris. Over the years, the Home Secretary has made little effort to hide her contempt for him.
Those close to her are riled by the way in which the leadership is facilitating his return to the parliamentary fold, and their mood will not be improved by how many senior Conservatives use the acronym 'ABT' when it comes to the next leadership contest: it stands for Anyone But Theresa.
Johnson certainly lapped up the opportunity offered by the Whips. These dinners, governed by a strict code of secrecy, are where the enforcers of parliamentary discipline relax and exchange views about what they really think about the state of the party.
Political survival: Chancellor George Osborne (right) is comfortable with Boris Johnson's charm offensive because he knows his future in Westminster is dependent on a Tory victory at the general election
As they tucked into haggis and beef, Boris offered his own analysis. I'm told he was 'incredibly supportive of what's being done. He was 100 per cent loyal'. The Whips – from all wings of the party – were almost universally admiring of the Mayor's performance.
Those close to Johnson once believed his best chance of becoming Prime Minister was to replace Cameron this side of the election. But now they argue that his quickest route to the top comes via a victory for his fellow Old Etonian in May.
For few expect Cameron to continue long after his promised EU referendum, which will have to be held by the end of 2017.
As one Boris confidant puts it: 'If Cameron wins in May, Boris could be Prime Minister in 18 months or so. If Miliband wins, he'll have to be Leader of the Opposition for five years.'
'Senior Cabinet': New Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, has become the newest invitee to David Cameron's supper club
As many as 33 Ministers turn up to Cabinet meetings on Tuesdays, rendering effective discussion almost impossible. The Tory Cabinet, stripped of its Coalition partners, is not much better – with dozens in attendance.
So David Cameron has started holding small suppers for what No 10 calls his 'Senior Cabinet'. There were just eight guests this Wednesday. Those close to the Prime Minister say he will use these occasions to keep the big beasts of the Cabinet fully primed on electoral strategy.
Strikingly, the Right's three main representatives in Cabinet – Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Fallon and Chris Grayling – were all present. I understand that Duncan Smith was particularly vocal. But perhaps the most intriguing invitee was Nicky Morgan, who joined the Cabinet only nine months ago. She then became Education Secretary in the last reshuffle.
In recent weeks, there have been whispers at Westminster that Tory campaign chiefs have been disappointed by her performance and irritated by her view that the party's electoral message needed more hope and positivity.
Her attendance at the select supper, however, shows she will be a serious presence in the Tory campaign. Why? Because Morgan, pictured left, won her Loughborough seat off Labour at the last Election, so has first-hand knowledge of what wins votes in the marginals.
There was an awkward encounter at Sheffield train station on Friday. Ed Miliband had headed up to the Steel City to accuse David Cameron and Nick Clegg of 'sitting by and watching hundreds of thousands of young people in our country lose their sacred democratic rights' because of changes to voter registration rules.
But when he went to the station to return to London, the Labour leader found Clegg – a Sheffield MP – on the same platform, waiting to board the same train. Miliband strolled up, saying: 'I thought it would be rude not to come and say hello.'
Clegg shot back: 'I hear you've already been quite rude about me today.'
Tory MPs are urging the board of the Conservative Party – its ultimate decision-making body – to take on those agitating against Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner and kick them out of the party.
After Turner split from his partner Carole Dennett, who also works for him, there have been calls from within the local association for him to resign as the Tory candidate.
Tempers are running high, with some on the island claiming that Turner is 'in thrall' to Dennett. Turner's supporters argue that his opponents are trying to kick a man when he's down.
No one is going to come out of this bitter constituency row looking whiter than white.
'I mean, he was Brad Pitt': Of course Gwyneth Paltrow fell in love with the global heart-throb, to whom she was engaged
'If my good friend says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch.'
Pope Francis enters the debate following the Charlie Hebdo attack, saying religion should not be mocked and that 'provocateurs' who do can expect a 'punch'.
'In Britain, there are cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims simply don't go.'
Steven Emerson, a supposed 'terrorism expert', during a Fox News debate in the US after the Paris attacks.
'Radical Islam also taking hold in Scottish Highlands and islands, under influence of spiritual leader Mullah Kintyre.'
Joker follows up Emerson's gaffe on the Twitter feed of the Fox News channel.
'Other parties offer the moon on a stick. We'll do better than that: a British moon on a British stick.'
Comedian Al Murray announces he will stand in his guise as The Pub Landlord against Nigel Farage in the Thanet South seat at the Election.
'Ever since I turned 50, reading has become horribly similar to filling the bath with the plug out.'
House actor Hugh Laurie bemoans his failing memory.
'I definitely fell in love with him. He was gorgeous and sweet. I mean, he was Brad Pitt.'
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow who dated the young star for three years after the pair appeared together in the film Seven in 1995.
'I'm saving up for a little flat.'
Beggar Damien Preston-Booth, who waits outside London's upmarket restaurants to ask celebrities for money – using his own chip-and-PIN machine if they don't have the cash.
'The movie industry is like the Rocky Mountains – the higher you get, the whiter it gets.'
US civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton criticises the Oscars because all of the nominees in the four acting categories are white.
'If you are eating an apple and there is no one to see you eating the apple, is there any point in eating the apple?'
Comedienne Sarah Millican waxes philosophical about resolutions to eat more healthily.
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Published: 01:13 GMT, 18 January 2015 | Updated: 15:02 GMT, 18 January 2015
The Tory Whips are the Prime Minister's eyes and ears. They are the bridge between the leader and his MPs. But on Wednesday night, they were all dining with Boris Johnson.
A year ago, a convivial dinner between Boris and the Whips would have been unimaginable. Downing Street was nervous about any attempt by the London Mayor to cosy up to Tory MPs, fearing a challenge to David Cameron's authority.
But this invitation to dinner is evidence of a new, unspoken deal between Johnson and Downing Street. He will be supportive and campaign hard for Cameron. In exchange, it will allow him to cultivate Tory MPs, rectifying his biggest weakness ahead of any leadership contest.
Boris Johnson (right) will campaign hard for Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and in exchange, his loyalty will allow him to win over Tory MPs ahead of any leadership contestHaving been out of Parliament for seven years, Johnson has not been able to curry favour from the parliamentary party in the way other potential candidates have.
George Osborne has developed a loyal following, many of whom have obtained Ministerial office thanks to his patronage. Theresa May has also worked hard to build herself a Commons support base.
It is clear that Osborne has no objections to Boris's positioning. After all, the Whips' Office that asked the Mayor to dine with them at Boisdale in Belgravia is run by Michael Gove, a close political and personal ally of the Chancellor.
Gove's deputy in the office is Greg Hands, an Osborne ultra-loyalist who started this Parliament as the Chancellor's parliamentary private secretary.
So why is the Chancellor so relaxed about the Mayor's glad-handing? Because the key to his own political future is a Tory election victory and he knows having the most popular politician in the country on side makes that more likely.
If the Tories lose in May, Osborne – as Cameron's closest ally – would have no chance of winning the subsequent leadership contest. Despite his generous patronage, Osborne has calculated he does not have enough MPs prepared to back him in these circumstances and, as Osborne likes to say, 'the first rule of politics is knowing how to count'.
Whether this Boris/Osborne rapprochement will last much beyond polling day is uncertain. Indeed, one Tory who knows both men well, gives it 'a maximum of two years'.
May, on the other hand, does not share Osborne's new-found enthusiasm for Boris. Over the years, the Home Secretary has made little effort to hide her contempt for him.
Those close to her are riled by the way in which the leadership is facilitating his return to the parliamentary fold, and their mood will not be improved by how many senior Conservatives use the acronym 'ABT' when it comes to the next leadership contest: it stands for Anyone But Theresa.
Johnson certainly lapped up the opportunity offered by the Whips. These dinners, governed by a strict code of secrecy, are where the enforcers of parliamentary discipline relax and exchange views about what they really think about the state of the party.
Political survival: Chancellor George Osborne (right) is comfortable with Boris Johnson's charm offensive because he knows his future in Westminster is dependent on a Tory victory at the general electionAs they tucked into haggis and beef, Boris offered his own analysis. I'm told he was 'incredibly supportive of what's being done. He was 100 per cent loyal'. The Whips – from all wings of the party – were almost universally admiring of the Mayor's performance.
Those close to Johnson once believed his best chance of becoming Prime Minister was to replace Cameron this side of the election. But now they argue that his quickest route to the top comes via a victory for his fellow Old Etonian in May.
For few expect Cameron to continue long after his promised EU referendum, which will have to be held by the end of 2017.
As one Boris confidant puts it: 'If Cameron wins in May, Boris could be Prime Minister in 18 months or so. If Miliband wins, he'll have to be Leader of the Opposition for five years.'
'Senior Cabinet': New Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, has become the newest invitee to David Cameron's supper clubAs many as 33 Ministers turn up to Cabinet meetings on Tuesdays, rendering effective discussion almost impossible. The Tory Cabinet, stripped of its Coalition partners, is not much better – with dozens in attendance.
So David Cameron has started holding small suppers for what No 10 calls his 'Senior Cabinet'. There were just eight guests this Wednesday. Those close to the Prime Minister say he will use these occasions to keep the big beasts of the Cabinet fully primed on electoral strategy.
Strikingly, the Right's three main representatives in Cabinet – Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Fallon and Chris Grayling – were all present. I understand that Duncan Smith was particularly vocal. But perhaps the most intriguing invitee was Nicky Morgan, who joined the Cabinet only nine months ago. She then became Education Secretary in the last reshuffle.
In recent weeks, there have been whispers at Westminster that Tory campaign chiefs have been disappointed by her performance and irritated by her view that the party's electoral message needed more hope and positivity.
Her attendance at the select supper, however, shows she will be a serious presence in the Tory campaign. Why? Because Morgan, pictured left, won her Loughborough seat off Labour at the last Election, so has first-hand knowledge of what wins votes in the marginals.
There was an awkward encounter at Sheffield train station on Friday. Ed Miliband had headed up to the Steel City to accuse David Cameron and Nick Clegg of 'sitting by and watching hundreds of thousands of young people in our country lose their sacred democratic rights' because of changes to voter registration rules.
But when he went to the station to return to London, the Labour leader found Clegg – a Sheffield MP – on the same platform, waiting to board the same train. Miliband strolled up, saying: 'I thought it would be rude not to come and say hello.'
Clegg shot back: 'I hear you've already been quite rude about me today.'
Tory MPs are urging the board of the Conservative Party – its ultimate decision-making body – to take on those agitating against Isle of Wight MP Andrew Turner and kick them out of the party.
After Turner split from his partner Carole Dennett, who also works for him, there have been calls from within the local association for him to resign as the Tory candidate.
Tempers are running high, with some on the island claiming that Turner is 'in thrall' to Dennett. Turner's supporters argue that his opponents are trying to kick a man when he's down.
No one is going to come out of this bitter constituency row looking whiter than white.
'I mean, he was Brad Pitt': Of course Gwyneth Paltrow fell in love with the global heart-throb, to whom she was engaged'If my good friend says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch.'
Pope Francis enters the debate following the Charlie Hebdo attack, saying religion should not be mocked and that 'provocateurs' who do can expect a 'punch'.
'In Britain, there are cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims simply don't go.'
Steven Emerson, a supposed 'terrorism expert', during a Fox News debate in the US after the Paris attacks.
'Radical Islam also taking hold in Scottish Highlands and islands, under influence of spiritual leader Mullah Kintyre.'
Joker follows up Emerson's gaffe on the Twitter feed of the Fox News channel.
'Other parties offer the moon on a stick. We'll do better than that: a British moon on a British stick.'
Comedian Al Murray announces he will stand in his guise as The Pub Landlord against Nigel Farage in the Thanet South seat at the Election.
'Ever since I turned 50, reading has become horribly similar to filling the bath with the plug out.'
House actor Hugh Laurie bemoans his failing memory.
'I definitely fell in love with him. He was gorgeous and sweet. I mean, he was Brad Pitt.'
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow who dated the young star for three years after the pair appeared together in the film Seven in 1995.
'I'm saving up for a little flat.'
Beggar Damien Preston-Booth, who waits outside London's upmarket restaurants to ask celebrities for money – using his own chip-and-PIN machine if they don't have the cash.
'The movie industry is like the Rocky Mountains – the higher you get, the whiter it gets.'
US civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton criticises the Oscars because all of the nominees in the four acting categories are white.
'If you are eating an apple and there is no one to see you eating the apple, is there any point in eating the apple?'
Comedienne Sarah Millican waxes philosophical about resolutions to eat more healthily.
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