David Cameron is reported by Tory insiders to be desperate not to be associated with The Sun’s campaign against Gordon Brown last week. The use of a dead soldier’s mother to attack the Prime Minister over errors and spelling mistakes in a letter of condolence letter sent to her is being seen as below the belt. Conservative Intelligence, the £1,000-a-year private newsletter sent out by Tim Montgomerie, editor of the ConservativeHome website, reports the incident could backfire on the Tories because of the paper’s endorsement of the leader. He writes: “The Sun’s endorsement of the Conservative Party was a big deal but David Cameron does not want to be tarred by the punch, punch, punch and Judy style of journalism we have witnessed this week. Sixty-five per cent of voters disapprove of The Sun’s use of a dead soldier’s mother to bash the Prime Minister in a welcome sign that there is a limit to the ugliness of current public discourse.”
