Cameron anger over BBC 'stupidity'

The Conservatives' deeply unimpressive campaign in the Eastleigh by-election continued in its accustomed style today as their candidate, Maria Hutchings, failed to attend a hustings organised and broa... Continue to article

Many of you will be familiar with Michael Fabricant, the Vice Chair of the Conservative Party with responsibility for campaigns. He was in charge of the Tory campaign in Corby (which they lost, of cou... Continue to article

Must say the Tory Eastleigh by-election campaign is a superb reality show. Right up there with #friedchickenshop #giveitasecondseries

"Lib Dem HQ to Double Agent Hutchings. Over. Maria to return to base. Over. You've wrecked Con Eastleigh campaign. Over and Out."

Eastleigh is train crash for Tories. Yet it's been on target list for months. Why so ill-prepared? Why same candidate?

Just heard that the campaign genius behind the Eastleigh by-election has a new nickname. Grant Mishapps

I'm bemused by Tory Eastleigh "strategy". Perhaps it's some kind of complex double bluff, lose to win, rope a dope by Tory centrists?

so if bookies right re Eastleigh, as per @MSmithsonPB, LD & Tory voteshare'd be down on 2010, Lab up a bit, but Ukip up from 3.6% to 19%...

Shouty David Cameron ranting at the BBC in #eastleigh over Maria's no-show #hidinghutchings h/t @MichaelPDeacon

BBC tells me all four main parties were invited on @bbc5live on Wednesday 13th. Tory claim they didn't have enough notice looking weak

Just spotted Vince Cable in #Easteigh looking like a war criminal with hat pulled over face #indisguise. Lol

Someone's fibbing. Tory official claims Maria Hutchings only invited on @BBC5live "yesterday morning". But the BBC says "last week"

Boris Johnson was in Eastleigh today with by-election candidate Maria Hutchings. In her blue, 'vote Maria' windcheater, she gawped at the phalanx of media types pinging angry questions at her star gue... Continue to article

Anonymous smear leaflet in #Bermondsey by-election asked: Which Queen Will You Vote For? Liberals accused. READ: http://t.co/hRFeNB0MlP #gay

...just curious: anyone's mind ever been changed by a doorstep meeting with canvasser? or is it just about collecting numbers?

Eastleigh reports reminding me of weirdness of door-to-door canvassing. nobody's ever in & when they are, rarely want to meet politicians...

Tory MP George Hollingbery in #Eastleigh debate: "I can't really speak for Maria [Hutchings], obviously. I'm not her."

How cd I have missed this? There's an Eastleigh candidate called "Howling Laud Hope". @christopherhope insists: no relation.

Maria Hutchings, Tory candidate for Eastleigh, misses broadcast hustings. Was she locked in cupboard by party handlers or is she a skiver?

Lib Dems go on the attack with this 'wanted' poster: http://t.co/N9IeSgFyBU

Turns out that Tories offered Maria Hutchings to take part in debate but BBC wouldn't shift timing, avoiding clash with Cameron visit.

It's getting busy again at #Eastleigh HQ for the @byelection Another #Buzzin day.

. @mrjohnofarrell tells @bbc5live #Eastleigh debate: "This is the Coalition versus the opposition, this election."

5Live audience boo absence of Maria Hutchings...

. @Mike4Eastleigh tells @bbc5live #Eastleigh debate: "I think Chris [Huhne] should apologise."

I see entire world has decided Pryce jury stupid today. They were perfectly sensible questions, phrased in normal not legal English.

Soon on my way back to #Eastleigh @byelection campaign in support of @MariaHutchings with a team from Chelsea & Fulham

Oh dear. Judging by today's BBC-organised hustings in Eastleigh, one of the candidates has gone missing http://t.co/PxYJLsa0JW

PM says he has to demonstrate aid is being spent wisely. If true, he had better prepare to slash back that ballooning @DFID_UK budget...

Astonishing that the Tories have decided keeping Hutchings away from the @BBC5Live hustings is the least worst option. Speaks volumes.

They haven't changed from the party of the few to the party of the many - they just realise the need to pretend they have Continue to article

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There are some things which this Conservative-led administration is doing, which have the strong support of Conservative Party members and much of the country. Continue to article

.@timfarron on Hutchings no-show tmrw at 5Live Eastleigh special: "You hv to ask why the Conservative machine keeps trying to hide her away"