The closer you are, the bluer they get

I have always thought Francis Maude was a rather decent chap on the moderate side of Tory politics. He has worked valiantly to drive the Big Society agenda from the Cabinet Office. He has the good hair of a classic Conservative MP of the old school. But he gave the game away when he talked on the Today programme about the ‘suppers’ held at Downing Street. For the people out there who think that supper is a snack you have in your pyjamas just before bedtime, and dinner is something you eat in the middle of the day, Maude’s comments will be mystifying (if, that is, they ever listen to the Today programme).

In these straitened times a lot of voters out there can’t afford to have anyone around for dinner, tea or supper. Tory pollsters know Cameron has a credibility problem when he tries to identify with ordinary families.