Dear Sir
Andrew Lansley’s talent for acting foolishly without regard to the financial consequences first became apparent when, as Director of the Conservative Research Department, he changed the Party’s manifesto for the 1992 election behind the back of John Major’s advisers while it was at the printer. It cost some £50,000 to return it to the condition that the cabinet had approved. If the kindness of the party hierarchy had not saved his career at that point, the NHS budget today would be in a better state.
Yours faithfully
Lord Lexden
(Deputy Director, Conservative Research Department,1985-97)
House of Lords