Cameron spinner embroiled in lobbying row – Media roundup: May 8th, 2013

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Cameron spinner embroiled in lobbying row

“David Cameron faces mounting pressure over top aide Lynton Crosby today, after it emerged he has links to firms opposing a crackdown on cheap booze. The Prime Minister has dismayed health campaigners by axing proposals from today’s Queen’s Speech to impose a minimum price per unit. New laws to force cigarette firms to sell fags in plain packs have also been shelved since Mr Crosby was hired, along with a compulsory register that would make lobbyists reveal their clients. Downing Street yesterday refused to say whether the PM believes lobbyists undertaking government work should come clean about their clients. Now the Mirror can reveal that Mr Crosby’s PR and lobbying company works for a drinks industry body that has campaigned against minimum alcohol pricing in his native Australia. The link comes to light the day after health campaigners accused the PM of creating a “serious conflict of interest” in hiring the lobbyist because of his work for the tobacco industry.” – Daily Mirror

Peter Hain says Labour’s Treasury team need to do more

“Peter Hain, one of the earliest shadow cabinet supporters of Ed Miliband, has urged the shadow Treasury team to do more to make Labour’s case for growth in the aftermath of the local elections. Hain, writing for Progress Online, suggests he would like the party to be less equivocal about its economic policy and warns that if the party is to win an outright majority at the general election it will need to be performing electorally better than at present. He writes: “I’m confident Labour can win the economic argument if Ed [Miliband] has the support of a loyal team around him. It’s important that all members of the shadow cabinet play their full role in explaining and defending Labour’s policy and approach. “Labour’s Treasury team need to get out on the stump now and work even harder. It shouldn’t just be left to Ed and Harriet to carry the heavy load, whether on the World at One, the Today programme or anywhere else.”” – Guardian

Other highlights

• The Tories are ignoring the economic crisis – Douglas Alexander, Mirror
• Ed still can’t speak human – Mary Riddell, Telegraph