Tory election guru Lynton Crosby urged not to ridicule Ed Miliband's image in campaign strategy
The Conservatives' election strategist Lynton Crosby has been warned not to use personal attacks on Ed Miliband in the general election campaign.
The Observer's political editor Toby Helm today rounds up a number of prominent female Conservatives urging Crosby not to mock the Labour leader's appearance or mannerisms for fear such tactics will "turn off" voters.
The paper says Crosby is thought to have been readying a "hard-hitting and personalised campaign", with images of Miliband "pulling strange faces, as well as sounding odd on television" expected to feature heavily.
In a speech earlier this week, Miliband fronted up to his PR shortcomings, saying: "If you want the politician from central casting, it's not me; it's the other guy. If you want a politician who thinks a good photo is the most important thing, then don't vote for me."
Among those quoted by the Observer, the MP Charlotte Leslie said: "Negative campaigning never, ever works. If I were Crosby I would resist it. Miliband has given us a gift and we don't need to do anything but quietly accept it."