Nick Clegg imposes himself

Has Nick Clegg clipped the wings of Chris Rennard, the Liberal Democrat chief executive? Having been director of campaigns between 1989 and 2003 before his current role, Rennard has always been highly regarded around Westminster as a tactical master, particular at by-election time. Today a press release from the office of the new leader appeared to recast and perhaps even restrict his campaign role.

Rennard will be chairman of the general election campaign (a reappointment). Alongside him, Andrew Stunell will chair local elections (a new post), Willie Rennie will chair parliamentary campaigns (another new post, but what is it exactly?) and Ed Davey will be chairman of the campaigns and communications committee (as he was under Sir Menzies Campbell). This gives the impression of reining in Rennard's role, although Clegg's office insists that he will still oversee everything as chief executive and the move is designed to better use the party machine at election time. But if the personalities clash during the local election campaigns who has the last say? And it is not yet completely clear who is going to run a by-election. Titles often matter.

In the same announcement Clegg revealed that he has brought in John Starkey, the shrewd former MD of Saatchi & Saatchi and the man who helped to run Margaret Thatcher's 1987 general election campaign, as an adviser on strategic communications. Meanwhile, Chris Bones, from Henley Management College, will help Clegg to look at reforming party structures.