Isabel Hardman Isabel Hardman

The Tories may have a strong message but do they have any momentum yet?

The Tories have another election broadcast out tonight that builds on the message of their manifesto: that they are for hardworking blue-collar people and that if you want sunshine, vote Tory. To that end, every outside shot in the film is bathed in sunlight, and everyone is in a pretty good mood: laughing as they work, smiling fondly at a newborn baby, grinning as they climb up the stairs (a child).

Most of the attacks on Labour are framed as positives: that the Tories are freeing people from ‘mountains of debt’ and that businesses ‘aren’t held back’. But there is a direct reference to Labour, which is in the section featuring the Prime Minister, in which he says:

‘Now Labour would put all of these things at risk with their plans for more borrowing, more debt and more taxes.’

Tories do feel as though they have got their campaign back on track in the past few days, though I have still picked up one or two gripes from senior ministers who don’t yet feel there is much vision or excitement.

Britain’s best politics newsletters

You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in