by David Hencke
Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft has become the majority shareholder (with 57.5 per cent) in ConservativeHome – the grassroots party website. Lord Ashcroft wants the website to become a new free news site running right-wing bloggers’ “exclusives”. But Conservative Home, run by Tim Montgomerie, is also offering a more exclusive – and expensive – service.
Conservative Intelligence – whose slogan is “Not Access. Not lobbying. Just Intelligence” – is also run by Mr Montgomerie at ConservativeHome. To get the weekly newsletter costs £1,200 a year, according to the website. Mr Montgmerie says this has now been reduced to £1,000.
To get on the priority list for events organised by Conservative Intelligence to meet Shadow Cabinet ministers such as George Osborne, Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt will cost another £2,500 a year.
In January, subscribers to the priority list will be offered the chance to see an “unofficial Conservative Party manifesto” and a “draft timetable for a Conservative’s government’s first year” – with plenty of time to try to influence any changes they may want to see.
Meanwhile, a private email from Mr Montgomerie to the £250-a-head supporters promises a pre-Tory conference gala event at Old Trafford football ground – home of Manchester United, managed by the Labour-supporting Sir Alex Ferguson.
The deal promises “an optional free tour of the Old Trafford museum, including Manchester United’s silverware collection and team dugout.
At 5.30pm, there’s a private briefing on what to expect from Tory conference. This briefing will be for Conservative Intelligence subscribers only.
The email says: “At 6.30pm, there’ll be a champagne reception on the balcony of Old Trafford with the pitch floodlit. We are inviting no more than 100 Tory MPs, candidates, party insiders, thought leaders and journalists to this reception and a subsequent two-course dinner.”
Mr Montgomerie denies any of this involves lobbying or privileged access. He said: “ If you say we are offering general access for people who pay for the newsletter, then I plead guilty. But we are not offering facilities for lobbying. If, say, BAA wanted a meeting with our transport spokesman, we would refuse.” l
