The Sunday Times yesterday revealed with much breathless fanfare that Dougie Smith, the co-ordinator of Conservatives for Change (Cchange), also organises sex parties.  Click here to read the article.

Cchange was founded last year by Francis Maude and supporters of Michael Portillo.  Archie Norman MP, the former Asda boss, and Teresa May also sit on its board.  It has much the same aims as 

iConservatives.org.uk, to modernise the Conservative party in a socially liberal direction while retaining the still viable and popular economic rigour of the Thatcherite revolution. 

Fever is an internet organisation that has been hosting upmarket swinging parties for young(ish)^* couples for about five years.  

Dougie Smith seems to be a busy man.  He not only founded and shares in the running of Fever but also finds time to be one of the main organisers of Cchange.

The Sunday Times seem to think this is news.  They claim it will test to the limit the social liberalism of the modernising Tories that Cchange represents.

They’ve also managed to get a few predictable reactionary rent-a-quotes.  For example Ann Widdecombe, the former shadow home secretary, apparently said: "For those who wonder if the modernising agenda of Cchange is going too far, this is precisely the sort of thing that gives cause for that wonder.  I certainly don't regard it lightheartedly. I take a dim view of that sort of behaviour."

Grow up Anne.   Smith is neither an elected official nor attempting to become one.  He’s never made a secret of his two jobs.  

As for the Sunday Times – why are they pushing this sort of prurient stuff?  Do they really think that employers should check potential employees in case they dislike some aspect of their private life?  Imagine what they would say if Cchange refused to employ a man who was gay.  They’d rightly howl with outrage.  If a person’s private life does not interfere with their job, their employer has no business taking any interest in it.  

Francis Maude, the former Tory shadow chancellor and chairman of Cchange, seems to agree: "I have no idea what he gets up to in his private life, and as long as it's legal I don't care," he said.

Well said Francis.   

To visit Cchange click here

To visit Fever click here. 

*The upper age limit is 40, apparently raised recently from 35 because the organisers wanted to keep joining in!