Leaked lines to take for Tory MPs show party nerves about Ukip

Tory conference has been much more upbeat than last week’s gloomy offer from Labour. But just in case the party had turned up in a bad mood after the defection of Mark Reckless, MPs were given a series of lines to take which involved them telling any broadcaster unfortunate to ask that the gathering in Birmingham was demonstrating ‘energy’ and ‘positivity’. Those lines to take, leaked to Coffee House, show the party preparing for a week of awkward questions about Ukip taking their voters and overshadowing their conference.

One of the questions is ‘have Mark Reckless and Ukip overshadowed your conference?’ The answer is:

‘I disagree. The country – and the thousands of Conservative activists who are attending this Conference – will be hearing how we are securing a better future for Britain through our long-term economic plan and what that means for hardworking taxpayers over the next five years. For example, we’ve announced how we’re helping first-time buyers achieve the dream and security of owning their own home.