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Don't say Coalition, say Tory-led government, Labour's spin chief tells media
Joe Murphy, Political Editor18 Jan 2011
Ed Miliband's new spin chief was embroiled in a "bullying" row today after telling the BBC and other broadcasters they should stop using the word "Coalition".
The Evening Standard can reveal Tom Baldwin wrote an extraordinary letter to the heads of the BBC, ITV and Sky claiming they should use the phrase "Tory-led government" instead.
His two-page missive warned: "You are making a choice whenever you call it 'the Coalition,'" and said it would be "fairer to refer to it by reference to party labels".
One senior broadcaster said it had "a bullying tone" and smacked of "the bad old days", when Tony Blair's spin chief Alastair Campbell, a friend and mentor of Mr Baldwin, was accused of attempting to micro-manage media coverage.
Another journalist said it was "an attempt to impose Labour language on neutral news coverage in the Orwellian tradition".
It is the first major spin row to hit Labour since Mr Miliband took over. Last month he responded to criticism of his performances by hiring Mr Baldwin as director of strategy and communications, and ex-Mirror political editor Bob Roberts to brief journalists. They are credited with sharpening their leader's attacks and putting ministers under greater pressure.
In the letter to BBC Director-General Mark Thompson, BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch and producers, Mr Baldwin, a former Times journalist, wrote: "The phrase a 'Tory-led government" is two words too long to be repeated on every occasion. [But] The word "Coalition" ... avoids party labels while also suggesting a degree of inter-party harmony and co-operation which is ... being shown as false."
One senior journalist said: "There is a bullying tone, it carries a threat that you are with him or against him. We will continue to use factual language to describe the Government and the parties." A Labour source stressed Mr Baldwin had not tried to tell broadcasters what to do but made an argument based on fairness and accuracy. "It does not say they should ban the word Coalition but try to vary it so that viewers have the full picture."
A Tory official said: "This sounds like when we tried to discourage the word 'Tory' last year. It backfired on us, just as this will backfire on them."
Key passages from Tom Baldwin's letter
As you may have noticed, we have changed our language in recent weeks to avoid describing the Government as a coalition or a partnership of equals. We believe a more accurate description is that this is a Conservative-led government.
I understand that the phrase a “Tory-led government” is two words too long to be repeated on every occasion. But I also think that you are making a choice whenever you call it “the coalition”. When we were in power, no one was left in any doubt that our most unpopular decisions were those of a “Labour government”. The word “Coalition” is one that avoids party labels while also suggesting a degree of inter-party harmony and co-operation which is, day-by-day and split-by-split, being shown as false.
Unless Nick Boles gets his way, “the Coalition” will not be standing for election.
Can I suggest you at least vary your description of this Tory-led government. On some occasions, you might call it a Conservative-Liberal Democrat government. On others it might be just “the government”.
When you are talking about this government in a political context, I think it would be fairer to refer to it by reference to party labels.
With best wishes, Tom Baldwin,
Director of Strategy and Communications
Reader views (43)
What if the Tory Led government actually works, and the financial state of the country is turned round over the next 4 years? Then because a labour acolyte has demanded that this is what the government should be called every one will know that the Tory's got us out of this mess. Baldwin should be careful what he wishes for, it could come back and bite his donkey. Oh, sorry ass.
- alan, carlisle uk, 19/01/2011 12:00
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It makes one wonder what extreme pressure was exerted by the "Unite and other trade unions paymaster Labour party" when they were the Government if this is the sort of wheeze they try to pull under the " leadership" of Red Ed.
The BBC were certainly under the cosh as they revealed the truth behind the Kelly affair and Iraq and the only resignations were BBC
Campbell would have been spreading his malign influence in many other ways but Millibland Minor needs to realise it does not work in opposition
- Ian L, Bangor, 19/01/2011 10:06
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"If the government were a Coalition they would not be putting separate candidates up at by elections."
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Don't really understand the concept do you? Labour education was it?
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 19/01/2011 09:36
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It's a coalition.
It's not very Tory & the Lib Dems are calling the tune on Europe, Immigration, release of terrorists etc.
There's even a man called Huhne who flies all over the world, telling us not to fly.
Call it what it is a coalition led by the Lib Dems, (who lost seats at the last election.)
Incidentally, when is Baldwin going to formally announce that Ken Livingstone is now Labour leader ?
- The Convenient Truth, Reading, England, 18/01/2011 21:22
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I'm automatically distrustful of anybody who describes a party as being 'in power' rather than 'in government'. I'm especially distrustful of a hired hack who talks about when 'we were in power'. You're not an MP, Tom & no-one voted for you. You're a spin-doctor, nothing more.
- Ruth, London, UK, 18/01/2011 20:54
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Labour whingers........If that is the case about a Tory led government...Then I want the following in the fairness of accuracy........The "Labour Unite Union Party"..sounds fair to me.....
- Jetcar, London, 18/01/2011 20:13
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As soon as i saw Baldwin i hated him, is it just me or is there a logical explanation for this.
- confused, london, 18/01/2011 18:57
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If the government were a Coalition they would not be putting separate candidates up at by elections.
Looking forward to only a single joint candidate at the forthcoming by election and even more so when they have to stand down a cadidate at one of their own held seats!!
Its a Tory led government with Clegg acting like a donkey or should that be ass?
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 18/01/2011 18:41
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It smells like a Coalition. Its a Coalition. Stop whinging Baldwin and attack them on something substantive like leading the country up the garden path.
- dhan raj, basildon, 18/01/2011 18:38
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I get annoyed when they keep referring to the coalition.
Why don't they just call it The Government
- John, Bromley, 18/01/2011 17:49
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Tom Baldwin, typical Labour twa*. Telling people what they can and can't say, that is the dictatorship formely known as Labour
- Mark, Leatherhead, Surrey, 18/01/2011 17:45
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@JB Sussex
So, what c**p party would you like to see leading the country into total oblivion...oh I know.. the ones that spent 12 years spending, spending and spending and in doing so totally destroying the very fabric of this country. The party that has not come up with one single policy since the coalition came into power, on how they would turn the very economy Blair & Brown destroyed around and get us out of the mess we're in...that party you mean. Your a moron and dangerous to boot!
- Gary, Surrey, 18/01/2011 16:59
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Tom Baldwin is an oaf.
- Lester May, Camden Town, London, 18/01/2011 16:32
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A numb skull suggestion from numb skull labour.
- john, Dundee, 18/01/2011 16:14
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The most extraordinary thing is that the Labour Spin Doctor should have felt able to dictate to the BBC and others what labels to use in a political context. My own impression of the News section on the BBC website - or of news headlines on Radio 4- is that they are dominated by news about Labour or reactions by Shadow Ministers to the news, with a judicious use of quotation marks, but very little by way of comparisons with other countries' problems on deficits or increasing food, oil and commodity prices. Yet, these problems are widespread and others often have a lower deficit than ours. My own feeling, for what it's worth as a mostly apolitical person, is that the Labour Party should really try calm down a bit, at least until they work out their own policies, if they to avouid being seen as a British answer to the Sarah Palin brand of political opposition.
- Maggie, London, 18/01/2011 15:22
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What staggers me is the shallowness, the triviality, the superficiality of the ‘anti-Tory’ faction here. They echo Labour’s leader – they offer nothing at all: nothing to say, no policy alternative, other than ‘we don't like what there is’. It is pitiful. It is intellectual idleness sprinkled with some hatred, and in spite of everything absolutely empty of any reason.
- a reasonable person, london, 18/01/2011 15:20
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-dan ,london, but you forget they were unelected.and no right to be in power. not a labour supporter
- robert brian severn, cortes., 18/01/2011 15:07
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"Red Ed" will do anything rather than talk about policies to improve the UK economy. Like the previous leaders, they will do anything and everything to gain power and subsequently run up huge debts for this and the next generation. When did Liebour ever suggest a policy that didn't involve spending ?
- Jose Luis, London SW18, 18/01/2011 14:47
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Even after hit by Blair and Brown for 13 years, these voters Labour Prty supporters want Labour back to provide more pain and more debt. Some Red Ed disciples.
- Chritine, London, 18/01/2011 14:17
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The media is accurate in describing the current political arrangement as a coalition, which is when two or more parties work together in a common direction. The fact that one side of the equation leads or that their direction is more general than focused is but a mere detail and arguably, a natural consequence of any partnership.
So Tom, if Labour had been the leader in a coalition with the Lib Dems, would you have called the arrangement the Lab Lib (Dem) government or just the Labour-led government? I think coalition might have been the result.
- Mike, London, 18/01/2011 14:06
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To be fair he is right it is a Tory Led Coalition, the Lib Dems are the whipping boys and Cameron is pulling the strings on the young boy Clegg.
They are all as bad as each other for propaganda anyway, Labour do spin and the coalition (Tory Led) use smoke screens and blame everyone else for ideological cuts.
- Tom, Cambridge, 18/01/2011 13:57
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How about we call it, "Not a Labour government"?!!
Tom Baldwin is the best thing for any form of government. Keep it up matey.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 18/01/2011 13:50
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You could just call it 'the Government': coalition, as constantly used by the Guardian, always implies that the result of a democratic election is somehow invalid if the Guardian disapproves of it.
- mdj, london uk, 18/01/2011 13:37
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This little "arranged marriage" between the CONs and the LIMP dems is a CONalition government....an UNELECTED CONalition government at that. I hope Cammy has plenty starch in his shirt as he's got no spine with which to hold himself upright. Shame on him and his little friend Nicky. What a shambles they are making. We may have had c**p governments in the past but they all pale into insignificance compared with the current residents at no.10. They really are the absolute worst ever. ...and that's saying something.
- jb, sussex, 18/01/2011 13:36
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Sadly, propaganda and the repetition of a lie or smear until it becomes the 'truth' is all that Labour is good at.
- Totally Confused, Ex London, 18/01/2011 13:29
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For once I agree with a Labourite: it is a Tory-led government and the sooner the BBC tells it like it is, the better. And the fact that it will stick in the craw of all the Beeb left-wing luvvies is a bonus.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 18/01/2011 13:23
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Simple – The “No-Labour-people-in-power-at-all-(hurrah!)-as-they-are-hopelessly-inaedquate-at-running-a-county” Coalition. More accurate don’t you think?
- a reasonable person, london, 18/01/2011 13:22
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Typical labour...No style.
If you want to bully bring back arch bully boy Brown not some weak unknown substitute!
- Tel:, Chelmsford, 18/01/2011 13:20
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The Camembert Coalition because Nick and Dave are so cheesy .....
Carry on Films had nothing on these pair I am sure Camobama is rehearsing his Sid James laugh ON US
- Jeanette Eccles, London, 18/01/2011 13:16
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The only thing that will backfire very soon is Camerons backing of Andy Coulspin. Who said it would go away.
- W6, London, 18/01/2011 13:16
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I hate spin doctors as much as anyone but to be honest Tory led government is what it is.
- bazza, London, 18/01/2011 13:12
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it does'nt look like he's been dealt a full hand
- anon leicestershire, leicestershire, 18/01/2011 13:04
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ARROGANCE + LABOUR= COALITION
- Tojo, Hythe Kent, 18/01/2011 12:59
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Wow Genius. He is worth every penny of his 275 000 salary.
- dave, london, 18/01/2011 12:59
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So... Well it is a TORY LED government... SIMPLES!
- Pam, Brighton, 18/01/2011 12:57
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How childish! Have they never heard of freedom of the press. Plus these guys are in opposition not government - they can't make up the rules.
Perhaps the press should refer to Labour as the Wallace-led opposition?! Lol Ok that's me lowering myself to their level now. Lol
Hmm so is the media going to take their orders from Labour?
- Tracy, Newcastle, 18/01/2011 12:56
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What is it about 'socialists' who feel they are 'the people' who are qualified to speak for the overall good
Arrogant self serving w@n@rs are at it again , I presume they also wish to be disassocited from bankrupting the country and building pointless bureaucracy as this country's largest and totally state reliant sector that makes nothing and whinges when anyone tries to unpick it
What a great solution for new again labour, deny the past, appoint new spin man and criticise people trying to sort out their mess.
Do us all a favour and have some humilty and respect for the poor people you are trying to con all over again with spin mangement of another pointless nanny state utopia all with your steady social concscience at the tiller
Low life!
- Paul, London, 18/01/2011 12:42
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I'm sure that Tom Baldwin is capable of bullying but that letter is about as bullying as getting a rub-down from Macca Pacca!
- X, London, 18/01/2011 12:41
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Typical Labour. As they say a leopard can't change it's spots.
This is Labours only way they government, esp the like of Red Ken, to be agressive and bully.
That's Labour for you.
- Jock S. Trap, London, 18/01/2011 12:39
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Ooh, Tom Baldwin, you're so scary! Except that you're not in power, so Alastair Campbell you're not.
- Ed, Hants, 18/01/2011 12:30
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More Labour spin - they never learn. Our government is a Coalition no matter what bullyboy Labour spin doctors say.
- Dan, London, 18/01/2011 12:30
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Labour attempting to mislead the population, and spread deceit and panic through the manipulation of the media, all the while claiming "fairness"? Surely not! Someone should tell them that they aren't in power anymore and therefore no-one has to listen to this crap, let alone to what they say.
However, I can quite easily see the BBC starting to do it!
- Peter J, Canterbury, Kent, 18/01/2011 12:29
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Its CON-A-LITION get it!!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 18/01/2011 12:20
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