The Spectator

It’s time to stop the omnishambles – and send Lynton Crosby to No. 10

The handling of Maria Miller's expenses demonstrated yet again why Ed Miliband is the luckiest political leader alive

[Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images] 
issue 12 April 2014

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[/audioplayer]Yet again, the Conservative party has reminded us that it is quite capable of losing the next election. The events leading up to Maria Miller’s resignation are entirely consistent with a party that is so gauche, so accident-prone, so surprised by basic news events that it can make Ed Miliband seem positively presidential. The government had intended this week’s political news to be about its success on welfare reform. Instead, the theme has been one of Tory chaos, as MPs publicly debated the survival of the Culture Secretary before she eventually chose to walk the plank.

The blame starts with the Prime Minister. He should need no telling about expenses scandals. Not so long ago, he dealt quickly and effectively with Tory MPs who had been exposed by the Daily Telegraph’s investigation — in stark contrast with the prevaricating Gordon Brown.

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