Tories' special relationship with TV

Jan 10 2007

THE Conservative Shadow Cabinet has been swotting up on how to run a country - by watching television's The West Wing.

Andrew Mitchell, the Shadow International Development Secretary, caught a few episodes over the Christmas holiday and now he's hooked.

The programme shows life in the US White House as the President and his staff struggle with difficult decisions.

Mr Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield, bought a DVD set and has got through 18 episodes so far.

And the bug has spread to fellow Shadow Cabinet Member Patrick McLoughlin, the Chief Whip, who is also an addict.

Mr Mitchell is a fan of CJ Cregg, the President's feisty press secretary, but he adds: "President Bartlet is an inspiration."

There's just one snag. President Jed Bartlet and his staff are Democrats - the sister party of Britain's Labour Party.

Their "liberal" view of the world has upset some US Republicans, who accuse the show of being biased against them. But perhaps that makes it the perfect programme for Tory leader David Cameron's new, softer Conservatives.