Peter Hoskin

Opposite their interview with William Hague, the Times offers a useful insight into the Tories' electoral strategy: "The increasing likelihood of victory for the Conservatives at the next election has prompted the party to consider diverting resources away from seats it believes are already in the bag to those previously regarded as unrealistic prospects. They include seats such as Dagenham, which is currently 164 on the hit list. The Conservatives would need a swing of just over 8 per cent to capture the seat, which was held by Labour’s Jon Cruddas at the last election with a majority of 7,605. Other seats that could benefit from the new funding priorities include Luton South, number 140 on the list, and some seats in Kent.

I know, I know - there are only so many Labour reshuffle rumours a readership can take.  But I'm still quite surprised that this report in the Mirror hasn't received a greater pick-up across the blogosphere today.  It claims that Gordon Brown's preparing to replace Harriet Harman as Labour Party chairman with none other than John Reid: "It is believed the ex-Home Secretary bruiser will replace Harriet Harman in a June 12 reshuffle - so allowing him to take on the Tories on TV and radio in the election run-up. With No.10's blessing, he led the Labour attack after the Budget and defended the 50 per cent tax rate on those earning more than £150,000." Hm.

I wouldn't care to be a laser printer in No.10 this morning.  The papers are absolutely crammed with stories that are embarrassing, or just downright damaging, for Gordon Brown.  The Mail on Sunday claims that relations between Brown and Alistair Darling are at an "all time low", and reveals that the PM went into a rage during his meeting with David Cameron and Nick Clegg about expenses.  The Sunday Times reports that a minister has placed a "large bet" on Brown not winning the next election.  Both Andrew Rawsley and Martin Ivens make the point that New Labour is dead.  And, to top it all off, John Rentoul calls for our Dear Leader to step down. The problem for Brown is that his opportunities for some sort of comeback are behind him.

Iain Martin's Telegraph column contains a noteworthy insight about the whos and whats of Tory economic policy: "David Cameron's colleagues report that this year the Tory leader has effectively taken over the party's economic policy. The penny does appear to be dropping, gradually, that if the country is going to pay off any of the debt he decries as an obstacle to recovery, then spending will need to fall steeply." Of course, you could say that Cameron should be in charge of Tory economic policy anyway, what with him being the party leader and the economy being the defining issue of current British politics.  But this still backs up reports that George Osborne's influence and authority has waned, especially in the wake of the Deripaska affair.

Here are Eric Pickles' answers to the questions posed by CoffeeHousers: Hugh How would a Conservative government reform the expenses system? The whole system of expenses is poisoning the trust in politics. I used to think that transparency and auditing was the key, I have now changed my mind. The whole issue needs to be on a proper footing independent of parliament and at a reduced cost. MP’s should not be able to decide the rules or vote on pay and conditions. Nicholas What exactly, if anything, will a Conservative government do to reverse and rectify the increasingly intrusive powers of the state and the erosion by the New Labour hegemony of the traditional freedoms, protections and privacy once enjoyed by all the English people?