Drinking to the ‘remarkable’ survival of the Tory party

The Centre for Policy Studies hosted a party for Robin Harris earlier this evening, in honour of the publication of his one volume history of the Conservatives. Andrew Gimson reviewed the book in a recent issue of the Spectator and described it as ‘a marvel of concision, lucidity and scholarship’, plenty of eminent Tories agree. The CPS’ cramped offices were graced by Lord Lamont, Spectator select committee chairman of the year and Thatcher’s one time PPS John Whittingdale, and rising backbencher Jesse Norman — to name but a few. A smattering of ministers and government aides had also braved the thickening night to attend Harris’ shin-dig. One wonders what these luminaries thought of the guest of honour’s remarks on his book and the state of the nation. Certainly, their loyal faces gave nothing away.