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Tories hire Boris Johnson's strategist Lynton Crosby | Tories hire Boris Johnson's strategist Lynton Crosby |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Australian strategist behind Boris Johnson's mayoral campaigns is to work for the Conservatives in the run-up to the election, a party source has said. | The Australian strategist behind Boris Johnson's mayoral campaigns is to work for the Conservatives in the run-up to the election, a party source has said. |
Lynton Crosby, known as the "Wizard of Oz" after campaign successes in Australia, will start working part-time for the Tories early next year. | Lynton Crosby, known as the "Wizard of Oz" after campaign successes in Australia, will start working part-time for the Tories early next year. |
The senior Conservative source told the BBC Mr Crosby would "step up" his involvment before the general election. | The senior Conservative source told the BBC Mr Crosby would "step up" his involvment before the general election. |
Mr Crosby worked on the 2005 campaign when Michael Howard was leader. | Mr Crosby worked on the 2005 campaign when Michael Howard was leader. |
The source told the BBC Mr Crosby's precise role this time round had yet to be finalised. | The source told the BBC Mr Crosby's precise role this time round had yet to be finalised. |
The Australian previously worked on a string of successful campaigns with former Australian prime minister John Howard. | The Australian previously worked on a string of successful campaigns with former Australian prime minister John Howard. |
He first worked for the Conservative on Michael Howard's unsuccessful election campaign of 2005, which focused on crime and immigration. | He first worked for the Conservative on Michael Howard's unsuccessful election campaign of 2005, which focused on crime and immigration. |
But he went on to work with Mr Johnson on his more successful London mayoral campaigns. | But he went on to work with Mr Johnson on his more successful London mayoral campaigns. |
His appointment has been welcomed by Mr Johnson, who described him as "the best campaign manager I've ever seen". | His appointment has been welcomed by Mr Johnson, who described him as "the best campaign manager I've ever seen". |
'Conflict and confusion' | 'Conflict and confusion' |
Earlier this month he called for Mr Cameron to "break the piggy bank" to get Mr Crosby to work fo him. | Earlier this month he called for Mr Cameron to "break the piggy bank" to get Mr Crosby to work fo him. |
He suggested then that the Australian would be portrayed as a right-wing "attack dog" by the media but insisted he was the "soul of sweetness". | He suggested then that the Australian would be portrayed as a right-wing "attack dog" by the media but insisted he was the "soul of sweetness". |
But former deputy party chairman Lord Ashcroft said Mr Crosby's appointment could be a "recipe for... conflict and confusion". | |
His appointment comes after the Conservatives lost the parliamentary seat in Corby, in a vote which saw a 12.7% swing to the Labour Party. | His appointment comes after the Conservatives lost the parliamentary seat in Corby, in a vote which saw a 12.7% swing to the Labour Party. |
It was the first time the Tories had lost a mid-term by-election seat to Labour since 1997. | It was the first time the Tories had lost a mid-term by-election seat to Labour since 1997. |
'Alpha male' | 'Alpha male' |
The elections for police and crime commissioners also suffered the lowest turnout in peacetime Britain, with just under 15% of people turning out to vote on Thursday. | The elections for police and crime commissioners also suffered the lowest turnout in peacetime Britain, with just under 15% of people turning out to vote on Thursday. |
In addition, an opinion poll of more than 2,000 people by ComRes has given Labour a 12 point lead over the Tories - the widest margin of advantage in a ComRes survey for more than seven years. | In addition, an opinion poll of more than 2,000 people by ComRes has given Labour a 12 point lead over the Tories - the widest margin of advantage in a ComRes survey for more than seven years. |
The poll was conducted for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror. | The poll was conducted for the Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror. |
Tim Montgomerie, editor of political website ConservativeHome, wrote that Mr Crosby had "a good record of success and is perhaps the alpha male that Team Cameron has been missing". | Tim Montgomerie, editor of political website ConservativeHome, wrote that Mr Crosby had "a good record of success and is perhaps the alpha male that Team Cameron has been missing". |