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Yet another Tory “benefit crackdown”
Further questions raised over Crosby’s lobbying
David Cameron’s support for the Syrian uprising has been questioned after revelations that his top aide’s firm worked for the rebels. The UK arm of strategist Lynton Crosby’s lobbying empire represented the Syrian National Council. Mr Cameron stepped up his calls for action – including arming forces trying to oust bloody dictator Bashar al-Assad – after hiring the Australian as his elections adviser last year. – Mirror
David Cameron has been accused of hypocrisy after refusing to reveal details of visits by the business lobbyist Lynton Crosby to Downing Street – despite having vowed to shine “the light of transparency” into the lobbying industry. Number 10 claimed in a reply to a freedom of information request by the Financial Times that it did not hold records “of any official meetings” involving Mr Crosby, a part-time elections adviser to the Conservative party. How much time the Australian lobbyist spends in Downing Street is important because of the coalition’s insistence that he only advises the Tories – and not the government. – FT
Other highlights
- The Coalition failed to act on my concerns about the NHS – Andy Burnham, Telegraph
- Using NHS as a football will be a Tory own goal – Rachel Sylvester, The Times(£)
- This poll is bad news for Labour, however you spin it – Jonathan Freedland, Guardian
- “Margaret Thatcher Day” is not a vote winner – Lord Ashcroft, ConHome
More from LabourList
Starmer vows ‘sweeping changes’ to tackle ‘bulging benefits bill’
Local government reforms: ‘Bigger authorities aren’t always better, for voters or for Labour’s chances’
Compass’ Neal Lawson claims 17-month probe found him ‘not guilty’ over tweet