Tory MPs are in Oxfordshire today for an ‘away day’. It’s supposed to focus on the autumn statement, but Tory MPs also want to make a few points about the Prime Minister’s immigration policies (read Fraser’s Telegraph column on the problems with aping Ukip) and others want to complain about the Coalition continuing when the Lib Dems have blocked the EU referendum bill and are complaining about the Tory stance on drugs (this will be in vain, but a good number of backbenchers have told me they want to bring it up anyway).
But the funny thing about this away day is that many Tory backbenchers were rather surprised to find themselves travelling to Oxfordshire at all. Most had assumed that they would be pitching up in Rochester for a rousing powerpoint presentation from Lynton Crosby followed by an energising afternoon on the doorstep.
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