Pickles, the new Tory star, now found in the north on Sky

The arrival in Crewe of Eric Pickles, the mastermind and now hero of the Tories' local election triumph, is a sign of the party's high expectations at the impending by-election.

He has just been on Sky News claiming that the Lib Dem vote is turning blue and talking up his friendship with the Gwyneth Dunwoody - genuine, but also probably in the hope of Labour switchers.

Such expectation-raising may not be a wise idea - the Tories' misplaced optimism over last year's Ealing Southall by-election caused much misery for David Cameron, and the party hasn't won a by-election anywhere for nearly three decades. But Pickles is no Grant Shapps and knows this well, which is interesting.

There was one other stand out line in the interview. Pickles made a toxic charge against Gordon Brown, claiming that he was "tired.. and not looking well". Hinting that the Prime Minsiter is not physically or mentally up to scratch is a surprising and dangerous tactic.

It will be interesting to see if anyone else in the Shadow Cabinet repeats it.

Comments

[Dave B]

It's worth noting that the Conservatives candidate in Crewe was chosen by winning an 'open primary' race, rather than being imposed by CCHQ like the Ealing candidate.

[peterbuss]

Not quite sure why Eric Pickles stating the obvious regarding how Gordon Bown looks is a dangerous tactic. To see him on Sky and BBC on Sunday was to witness someone who really did look under the most enormous strain and was not coping with it. Both my wife and myself said as fellow human beings we felt pity for him. Virtually everyone who I have talked to about Brown has got exactly the same impression. I would not be suprised at all if he did an Eden and had to leave on health grounds in 6 months time. The poor guy is tying to cope with a job which he just cannot do.

[HurstLlama]

I have to echo part of what PeterBuss said at 15:34. For some weeks now Mr. Brown has looked ill and on television at the weekend he looked dreadful.

I am agog to learn how stating the blindingly obvious an be a "surprising and dangerous" tactic.