The oldest truth in political history

Poor Derek Conway. The allegations about how he used his allowances have been an opportunity for an avalanche of homophobic gossip about his son and a tidal wave of sneering about class. I hold no particular candle for the Conways – apart from having once spent a very enjoyable week stalking with them in the Scottish highlands. For the record -a nd since declaration of interest seems to be the order of the day – I recall her as being the better shot of the two, and I’m worse than either of them.

The last time we had quite such a nasty attack on a family in the public eye was when William of Wales split up with Kate of Middleton. ‘Doors to manual’ has now yielded to stuff about boys who went to secondary modern schools sending their sons to Harrow, and finger-pointing at wives who still wear furs.