New election guru for Howard

New Tory election chief

New Tory election chief

Michael Howard has appointed a new general election campaign director, Lynton Crosby.

Mr Crosby was heavily involved in the Australian prime minister John Howard’s recent four electoral successes and the Conservative Leader will be hoping some of the success rubs off on his party.

Tory leader Mr Howard told his party’s website that: “I have known Lynton for almost ten years and am delighted that we will have the benefit of his professional expertise in the run up to the General Election.”

Mr Crosby will be responsible for managing all aspects of the campaign up until polling day, which is widely expected in May.

The Australian prime minister, who has employed Mr Crosby in his campaign team as deputy and national campaign director, said Mr Crosby was “the most outstanding political professional I have worked with in my 30 years of politics”.