Nic Boles made his name as an über-Cameroon when at the helm of Policy Exchange, pushing the party in a pinkish direction and de-toxifying the Tory brand. He was half-successful, the Tory frontbench now kow-tows to Cameroon language and thinking but neither the backbenchers or the rank and file really trust him as “one of us”.  As talented as Bolesy is, he knows he’s a lightning-conductor for those who distrust the whole Cameron project. MPs are also sniffy that this newbie MP seems to work out of Downing Street with the rest of the “beautiful people”.

He knows that if he wants to progress to high office he has to secure his right-flank, which is basically most of the Conservative Party.

Guido thinks his new book “Which Way is Up“ should be seen in this context. Boles is incredibly ambitious – he was Dave’s preferred candidate for London mayor until illness intervened – he knows he needs to reposition himself to make peace with the Tory right. This morning he is getting plaudits from the Daily Mail,  the Tory press on the whole is ecstatic; the Express and the Speccie heap praise on him for his get tough on immigration stance – he wants immigrants to pay £5,000 before they can even use public services and their numbers capped at 20,000 – 90% down from what it was last year. It has worked, even John Redwood is impressed with “Enoch” Boles…