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  1. Business
13 November 2013updated 05 Oct 2023 8:54am

11 Tory moments they WISH could be wiped from the internet

The Conservative Party may be trying to destroy every one of its press releases and political speeches from the web, but there are things that can't be so easily deleted from our collective memories. Alas.

By Ian Steadman

1. George Osborne discovers what normal people think of him at the Paralympics

2. Michael Gove falling over, forever

3. Jeremy Hunt’s problem with the end of his bell

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4. Boris Johnson getting stuck on a zipline.

(Note: Knowing Boris, this was probably a deliberate PR stunt.)

5. The many lives of Grant Shapps

BONUS SHAPPS: His struggle with doors

6. William Hague’s 2001 General Election campaign

(Photo: Paul Grover)

7. Oliver Letwin disposing of classified documents in a park bin

(Photo: Getty)

8. Sayeeda Warsi’s car crash stand-up comedy career

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9. Liam Fox letting his best friend and flatmate join him in high-level government meetings

10. William Hague’s 2001 General Election campaign (again)

11. Iain Duncan Smith’s everything

(Image: blingeepolitics.tumblr.com)

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Now listen to Ian discussing why and how the Conservatives have tried to erase these pledges on the NS Podcast:

listen to ‘The New Statesman Podcast: Episode Twenty-Six’ on Audioboo

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Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
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