OPINION: Things aren't improving for Tory PROs

I wish I had a fiver for every time I have heard a Conservative say 'What we need is an Alastair Campbell'. Admittedly, I've heard less of it since Mr Blair's press secretary, if that is what he remains, withdrew himself from the front line of media relations because he was counter-productive. But the idea, if not the name, lingers on. The Tories have always been prone to blame their presentation. That is why I entitled my memoirs of government service 'Kill the messenger'. Whenever anything went wrong, I expected to be shot, though not by Margaret Thatcher.