Obviously not the Mayor of Baltimore

Alex Hilton has written an explanation of his little joke that has created such controversy. It makes for a good read, if only because it shows just how no-one should have fallen for this joke. It appears the intention was to be a mild rebuke for Chris Grayling. Although the end result of this little jape seems to have been anything but embarrassing for the Tories.

What Hilton has done is simply - and accidentally - turned what was a mildly embarrassing comment by the Shadow Home Secretary into something that has embarrassed vast swathes of the left-wing media and blogosphere in this country. Instead of exposing the hyperbole of Chris Grayling, instead Alex Hilton has shown the naked eagerness of left wing journalists to print anything and everything that might in anyway discredit a Tory. Even if the story does actually stand up to even the most basic of fact-checking.

Hilton writes:

And if any part of this bit of fluff made you smile, or made you critically analyse a politician's hyperbole, then it achieved its aims.

Well, it did make me smile. If only because it highlighted that fact that the left-wing media have nothing useful to report on - like constructive policies that could make a difference in Britain. Instead, they are grasping at bit of straw - or fluff - that could be used in any way to discredit the Tories. Regardless of Hilton's professed aims for this joke, I can't help but think that he can't be tremendously pleased with the way it has turned out. Against any available parameter, this little jape has ended up being a massive own goal. He wanted to expose the Tories; instead, he did much to show up the left wing at the same time as getting on the wrong side of many people he needs - as a Labour PPC - to get support from. Nice work, Alex. With you out there, the Labour party doesn't need enemies.