Hundreds of young Conservative activists have been lured to the Newark by-election with the promise of curry, clubbing and coupling, creating a fearsome local election campaign unit that has unnerved some Labour figures.
The promotion of “Team 2015”, led by Grant Shapps, is seen as a last-ditch attempt by the Conservative party chairman to hold on to his job in the forthcoming reshuffle. Up to 300 young activists have been in Newark, helping the Tories to maintain their lead in a by-election they are expected to win comfortably tomorrow.
The final stages of the campaign have become mired in claim and counter-claim on class warfare, however.
Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, had to come to the defence of Robert Jenrick, the Tory candidate, after The