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Two-jobs Osborne cuts back on his heavy workload
Joe Murphy, Political Editor13.11.08
George Osborne is cutting down on his extra job as "unofficial party chairman" after concern that his performance as shadow chancellor is suffering.
Senior colleagues say he has reappraised his heavy workload to concentrate on the battle over the economic crisis. Mr Osborne has been playing an increasing role at party HQ since chairman Caroline Spelman became embroiled in allegations that she abused her Commons expenses to pay a nanny. He is also David Cameron's closest ally, the party's senior strategist, a regular spokesman on TV and chief planner for the next general election - all on top of his full-time duties shadowing Alistair Darling.
The source said: "He is spending less time now at Central Office as he realises things have to change."
Ms Spelman faces a verdict in the next three weeks from the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, John Lyon. She denies wrongdoing.
Mr Osborne was feted a year ago for a speech unveiling inheritance tax cuts that frightened Gordon Brown into cancelling a general election. In recent weeks Tory critics have said the shadow team is failing to land blows on the Prime Minister over the economic crisis.
A source close to Mr Cameron said Mr Osborne's position is safe.
Reader views (6)
Good to see that the party agree with the rest of us that his performance as shadow chancellor has been lamentable
- Keith Price, Luton, England
Heavy workload doen't stop you telling the electorate your economic policies. More then two years as a shadow government we are still waiting. How much long?we don't know.
- Alex Lisinge, Putney London
Its the PAID jobs OUTSIDE parliament that Mr Osbourne needs to drop not party jobs that he could then do inhis spare time.
As for cancelling elections what election? The fact he revealed a election giveaway to his old school chums when a election had not been called shows how in-competent he is at political timing.
As for statements like "position is safe.." when these were used by earlier tory governments it meant the clock to their departure from the cabinet had been switched on.. Bye Bye George
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
No doubt with more experience he will excell himself.
Time will tell.
He unlike most of us has more time than we have or though most of us has had more experience of the real world than most young politicians.
We have come up the hard way.
- Bernard Parke, GUILDFORD
'...position is safe'. Oh well that means he'll be gone by next week. Osborne should concentrate on changing the face of the Tory Party as F/T Chair and the next election and let someone else have a go at Shadow Finance. This is no time for a novice.
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex
i think he has been totally obsessed with getting his own back on Lord Mandelson since the summer that he has not been able to concentrate on his job as Shadow Chancellor. He gave a lovely interview to a friendly journalist and persuaded her he was an ordinary bloke and then we had the Bullingdon Club and Shooting Party pictures which showed him up as a phony. Cameron should stop dithering and sack him. He is a weakness.
- Alan Clarke, Uxbridge England
