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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.
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