What would Cameron lose if Coulson went?

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There is sustained pressure on David Cameron's Director of Communications and Planning, Andy Coulson. What is his value to Cameron?

A former tabloid editor, Coulson is reputed to have been integral to broadening the appeal of the Conservative message, and has been particularly influential on crime and debt. How successful the Conservatives have been at this is open to debate - much of their popularity seems to draw from Labour's inherent and growing weaknesses. However this is surely a crucial role for a Conservative Party which realistically needs to step up their game and fully capitalise on if they are to gain a sizable majority at the next election.

His performance has improved. Responsible for 'hug a hoodie' he has clearly learnt better to balance the old and the new in Cameron's image of the Conservative party, something which has helped the party better exploit parts of the Lib Dem vote. It would be tricky for anyone starting from scratch on this difficult balancing act, particularly someone who has not had the baptism of fire of starting with the Conservatives on a low ebb during the Brown bounce, and reticent detractors like Tebbit at their zenith. He has helped consolidate Cameron's power and drive the shift in the party image past the Parliamentary party and membership so in this respect he has been tested and has probably learnt much.

He is liked by journalists. I have heard he is a very straight reliable divester of the Conservative line to top journalists. His replacement may fulfil this role too but this is an unknown. We know how these relationships can turn sour in government and Coulson is certain to join Cameron in Downing Street.

No wonder Labour MPs and the Liberal Democrats want his head.

Chloe Smith, the 'no hoper'?

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Interesting coverage in The Times today of the forthcoming Norwich North by-election. The paper argues that a "wounded and angry city" could turn away from Labour and make the "no hoper" Chloe Smith a credible candidate.

From even my basic understanding of the electoral numbers this seems an incredible interpretation. The seat is Conservative target number 168 at the next General Election. The Conservatives would have to win seats like these to get an overall majority and current polling figures should give them the swing required to win here even in a General Election.

This is a by-election, so naturally the Governing party will do relatively badly.

Either The Times are extraordinarily badly briefed, or they want a Conservative victory to seem like a surprise against the odds victory. I give them enough credit to think the latter is true. If so why? Is it to make a better story or are they actively supporting the Conservatives?

I wonder if Rupert Murdoch has been to any meetings in Westminster recently...

And today barmy Fox anchor supports: death to America!

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Just spotted this gem of nonsense from Fox's mad media monster anchor Glenn Beck.

If you have heard Beck speak before you might assume you know what you're in for. I advise you to fasten your seatbelts all the same.

He actually argues, get this, that if he was Osama Bin Laden he would avoid instigating a terrorist attack on America at the moment, because, wait for it, this event would be the only thing that could force America to prevent a terrorist attack...

Thereby preventing the end to which he had already secured... no wait... THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

What's worse is he is actually hoping for a terrorist attack to wake up the authorities. Really like to know what he does to keep his job as it would make fascinating for people being laid off everywhere.