The headbangers are out to get Steve Hilton

Channel 4 News reports that that Steve Hilton, David Cameron's director of strategy, was arrested after a dispute with a ticket collector at Birmingham New Street in October 2008. This follows recent press stories saying that Hilton's regular email bulletins from California have upset some shadow cabinet ministers.

I have a certain sympathy for anyone who falls foul off railway officialdom, but more importantly the sudden appearance of this ticket story suggests that there are elements in the Conservative Party who are determined to bring Hilton down.

I wish them well.

For all his love of jargon (and resemblance to Stewart Pearson in The Thick of It) Steve Hilton has grasped the need to make the Tories appeal once more to the sort of liberal-minded people who have not voted for the party since 1992.

If the headbangers in the Conservative Party manage to get rid of him it will make life a lot easier for the Liberal Democrats.